By Noah Rothman
Tuesday, September 15, 2026
Recall all the juice that the Trump campaign wrung out of
Hunter Biden’s obvious corruption and his father’s complicity.
The Burisma contract and the influence peddling around it, the inflated prices that were paid for his “artwork,” the seven-figure loans from well-heeled Democratic donors –
Trump made hay out of it all. Given the mileage the GOP got out of Hunter’s
indiscretions, it’s reasonable to assume that the president’s adult sons would
have at least tried to cultivate even the mere appearance of propriety. That
assumption was proven inaccurate long ago. Indeed, Don Jr. is tempting fate
with his contempt for the prospect that his actions will beget undesirable
consequences for himself, his family, and the Trump administration.
The latest offense is entirely inexplicable. According to
ProPublica’s reporting, Don Jr.’s wedding celebration — an extravagant
affair set on a private island and backlit by a five-figure fireworks display —
was financed entirely by Umar Kremlev. The Russian oligarch maintains active
ties with Vladimir Putin’s regime, and he oversees the International Boxing
Association — two outfits that are mired in their own corruption scandals. The
reporting was later angrily confirmed by Don Jr.’s wife, Bettina Trump, who
insisted that their “dear friend” paid for only “two incredible nights of
celebrations for us AFTER our wedding.”
Skeptics are justified in concluding that it’s unlikely
the couple’s dear friend, who only “speaks limited English,” wasn’t forking over a
mid-six-figure gift without expecting some kind of reciprocity. Even if the
whole affair was entirely above board, the impertinent display will fuel
Democrats’ campaign of investigations into the Trump family’s financial
dealings if the party retakes the House gavels next year.
This is hardly the only sordid spectacle for which House
Democrats will hold Don Jr. to account. From his ties to cryptocurrency mining ventures to the Pentagon contracts awarded to firms in which he holds a
stake, the president’s opponents will make their investigations into Don Jr.’s
many enterprises into a performance. And given the president’s son’s antics, it
might be a compelling presentation.
If the president or his sons are properly apprehensive
about the discomfort Democrats will impose on the Trump clan if they retake the
House, they’re not acting like it. Don Jr. should enjoy his honeymoon. Indeed,
he should make it a long one. With Democrats back in power, he’s going to have
a long and arduous 2027.
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