Republican senator seeks probe into Trump family, flags son's ‘lavish wedding afterparty, gifts’
Just weeks ahead of the high-stakes midterm elections, Republican Senator John Curtis requested an official investigation into the financial dealings of the Trump family and urged the Senate Judiciary Committee to subpoena Donald Trump Jr. to testify.
Utah Senator John Curtis talked about Donald Trump Jr's cryptocurrency ventures and his lavish wedding "afterparty" on a private island funded by a Russian oligarch. (File Photo/Reuter)Utah Senator John Curtis, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), shared the letter addressed to the leaders of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
John Curtis is a 66-year-old Republican senator representing Utah. He holds the seat vacated by Republican Mitt Romney.
Curtis is a freshman senator and is a key moderate voice among Senate Republicans, as reported by Bloomberg.
While other Republican senators have criticised US President Donald Trump over the war with Iran or other policy stances, Curtis is the first sitting senator of the party to seek an investigation into whether Trump or his family has used the presidency for personal gain, the report added.
Curtis' move comes as Congressional Republicans head towards the November 3.
In a video posted on X last Friday, the senator had also talked about Trump Jr.'s wedding afterparty.
In his letter, released on Tuesday, the Utah Senator asked the Judiciary Committee leadership to examine how presidential relationships are used "for private financial benefit, preferential treatment, or access by domestic and foreign interests."
"For years, serious questions have been raised about members of presidential families using their names and proximity to the President to advance private business interests," he wrote.
He talked about Trump Jr's cryptocurrency ventures and his lavish wedding "afterparty" on a private island funded by a Russian oligarch.
The senator added, "More recently, questions have arisen about the relationships of President Trump's eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., with foreign business figures and the acceptance of significant gifts. These include a lavish wedding afterparty, on a private island, provided by Russian oligarch Umar Kremlev, who reportedly traveled to China as part of a delegation accompanying Vladimir Putin shortly before giving the gift."
Notably, according to the Bloomberg report, US President Trump said on Friday that his son would repay the Russian oligarch for the party.
"These concerns are compounded by Donald Trump Jr.’s active promotion of family-backed cryptocurrency ventures, his continued pursuit of international real estate deals involving direct meetings with foreign heads of state, and his reported investments in defense contracting," Curtis said.
Curtis also wrote about the controversy over how former President Joe Biden's son Hunter Biden had significant business ties to foreign interests while his father was serving or running for office.
"I urge the Committee to subpoena Donald Trump Jr. and Hunter Biden to testify regarding their past business dealings, relationships with foreign individuals and entities, gifts, or other benefits they have received, and any instances in which their relationship to the President was invoked or understood to provide value," Curtis wrote in the letter.
"Americans deserve confidence that public institutions serve them—not presidents, political parties, wealthy interests, or members of powerful families. Congress has an obligation to pursue credible concerns wherever they lead and without regard to party," he added.
Also Read | Who is Umar Kremlev? Why Putin ally paid for Trump Jr, Bettina Anderson's wedding bash? Relationship, costs explained
According to the Bloomberg report, a spokesperson for the Judiciary Committee said that while the Senator's letter has been received, the committee has limited dates to hold hearings for the rest of the year.
The spokesperson also noted that investigative hearings often take months or years before being scheduled.
Anushka Awasthi is a Content Producer at Hindustan Times, where she covers politics, geopolitics, and major national and international developments. She holds both a Bachelor's and a Master's degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University (GGSIPU), New Delhi. Passionate about India's political landscape, Anushka believes that politics shapes every aspect of society, from public policy to everyday life. This drives her to deliver timely, accurate, and researched news that helps readers make sense of everyday developments. Before joining Hindustan Times, Anushka worked with the Zee News English website, reporting extensively on Indian politics and international affairs. During her tenure, she also wrote a range of interviews and analytical stories, focusing on key political and international affairs events. Her reporting is driven by a strong interest in journalism and a dedication to balanced reporting. She strives to present news with clarity and context in the digital era. She aims to ensure that readers stay informed about issues that matter. Outside the newsroom, she enjoys planning her next travel adventure to various corners of India, reading classical books, and binging sitcoms. A coffee enthusiast, she is always on the lookout for new places and experiences.Read More
