Donald Trump Jr.
Role at the time: Donald Trump Jr., through a spokesperson, in a statement to the Financial Times
Defended or excused
Statement summary
Responding to the Financial Times report of the Mongolian hunting trip, a spokesperson for Trump Jr. says he and Kremlev are personal friends who share an interest in hunting, fishing and the outdoors, and that they have no business relationship.
“Don has made clear that he has a personal friendship, not a business relationship, with Umar. Their friendship is largely based on their shared love for hunting, fishing and the outdoors. It shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone that they went hunting together earlier this year”
Open source (opens in a new tab)Donald Trump Jr. went hunting in Mongolia with a Kremlin-linked Russian businessman who helped bankroll his weddingAccount of the Financial Times report and the spokesperson's statement
Why we used this label
Relative to whether Donald Trump Jr.'s acceptance of a Kremlev-funded wedding celebration was improper, the spokesperson presents the relationship as an ordinary personal friendship with no business side, which defends the tie the case's critics question.