Donald Trump Jr. spent two days hunting with sanctioned Russian boxing chief

Donald Trump Jr. and Umar Kremlev spent two days together in a remote hunting camp in western Mongolia in late August, a trip that has reignited scrutiny over ties between the US First Family and Russian figures. The encounter occurred while the president’s son was on a hunting expedition, and it followed earlier reports that Kremlev funded part of Trump Jr.’s wedding celebrations.

Flight records show Kremlev arrived in the Mongolian capital of Ulaanbaatar by charter from Kazakhstan. From there, he traveled to the camp in the country’s west, where he joined Trump Jr. and Russian businessman Arthur Martirosov, a partner in the US-sanctioned venture fund Voskhod. After the two-day stint, Kremlev flew back to Ulaanbaatar.

Local guides who participated in the trip told The Financial Times that the two men were careful to avoid being photographed together during their stay. A spokesperson for Trump Jr. said the pair developed a personal friendship through shared interests in hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation. The spokesperson noted they were introduced by a mutual acquaintance from the hunting community and emphasized that no business relationship exists between them.

“Don has made clear that he has a personal friendship, not a business relationship, with Umar,” the spokesperson said. “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.”

Holden Triplette, who served as director of counterintelligence on the US National Security Council during Trump’s first term, warned that such contacts could pose national security risks. “The moment the Russian security and intelligence services figure out someone has a relationship with anyone of high value, they will try to weaponise that,” Triplette said.

During the same Mongolian trip, Trump Jr. hunted a rare Altai argali, an endangered wild sheep, and met with Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khürelsükh. Kremlev, 43, is president of the International Boxing Association and headed the Russian Boxing Federation from 2017 until taking the international role.

In early October, Kremlev claimed that Trump Jr. returned the money spent on post-wedding celebrations organized by the Russian. US Attorney General Todd Blanche previously stated he would not investigate the wedding, while Democrats on Capitol Hill have promised to launch their own inquiry into the matter.