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Tell Congress: Expose Don Jr.’s Putin-Linked Wedding Donor

A Putin-linked Russian oligarch reportedly spent hundreds of thousands of dollars bankrolling lavish celebrations surrounding Donald Trump Jr.’s wedding festivities. Congress needs to follow the money.

ProPublica just reported that Umar Kremlev paid for major expenses tied to Trump Jr.’s three-day Bahamas celebration, including a private island and a massive fireworks display. Trump Jr. and his wife have confirmed that Kremlev hosted two nights of festivities, describing it as an extraordinarily generous gift from a friend.

But Don Jr. isn’t just another rich guy getting expensive presents. He is the president’s son and has helped shape his father’s political operation and personnel decisions. When someone close to Vladimir Putin spends a fortune entertaining someone with that kind of access to presidential power, Americans deserve to know what he got for his money.

Two men in suits seated at an event.

We don’t yet know whether Trump Jr. promised Kremlev anything. That’s exactly why Congress needs to investigate. Lawmakers should follow the money, examine relevant communications, determine the full value and source of the benefits Trump Jr. received, and establish the full extent of Kremlev’s relationship with the president’s family.

Foreign power brokers should not be able to spend huge sums cultivating people close to presidential power without public scrutiny.

Presidential relatives can wield enormous political influence while escaping many of the ethics and disclosure rules governing public officials. That creates a dangerous opening for wealthy foreign interests seeking influence in Washington.

Congress must expose what happened and close this accountability gap. Foreign money should never provide a hidden path to American political power.

Thanks for all that you do,
Matt from the Swarm