Alina Habba, former personal attorney to Donald Trump, informed President Trump on October 15, 2026, that Ric Grenell, who previously led the Kennedy Center, allegedly failed to deposit $5.6 million from her husband, Turkish businessman Turhan Mildon, which was intended as a donation to the Kennedy Center. This accusation has ignited a sharp dispute between two prominent allies of the President.

The dispute has led President Trump to direct his White House counsel, Will Scharf, to investigate the allegations, raising questions about financial transparency and accountability involving high-profile political figures and a significant U.S. cultural institution.

What the Records Show

Kennedy Center records do not indicate a $5.6 million donation from Turhan Mildon. However, the center's records do show a separate pledged donation of $270,000 from Mildon, which he reportedly paid. Habba initially described the disputed donation as $17 million, but later clarified the amount in question to be $5.6 million after speaking with her husband. This alleged $5.6 million was part of a larger $17.6 million business payment made by Mildon. One report states these funds were directed to a private company, with another specifying a Texas defense firm.

The Timeline

In spring 2025, Ric Grenell reportedly persuaded Mildon to include a donation to the Kennedy Center as part of a business deal involving a U.S. company. The payment involved in this deal was $17.6 million. Habba married Mildon last month. On October 15, 2026, Habba presented her allegations directly to President Trump in the Oval Office. President Trump subsequently referred the matter to White House Counsel Will Scharf for investigation. The following day, on October 16, 2026, The Daily Mail reported that President Trump made a direct phone call to Grenell about the missing funds. On the same day, Mildon's lawyers reportedly provided evidence to White House lawyers to support Habba's claims.

What Changed and For Whom

President Trump has initiated a White House investigation into the allegations, elevating what began as a personal claim into a formal inquiry involving his administration. The controversy has created a significant rift, described as a “MAGA blood feud,” between Habba and Grenell, both of whom are closely associated with President Trump. For Turhan Mildon, the alleged non-deposit of funds he believed were destined for the Kennedy Center has brought his business dealings and his relationship with Habba into public scrutiny. The Kennedy Center now faces questions regarding its fundraising and donor transparency, despite its records showing no receipt of the alleged $5.6 million donation.

What the Subject Has Said Publicly

Ric Grenell has strongly denied the accusations, calling them “absurd” and a “lie”. He stated to Axios, “I've never asked for one cent to be sent somewhere else pretending it was for the Kennedy Center, and I've never received any payment from him at all”. Grenell challenged Habba to provide proof for her allegations, rather than making what he described as “absurd allegations”. White House officials have expressed skepticism about the claims, with one official stating they were “very skeptical it’s true”. Another administration official, while describing Grenell as “crooked,” noted that Kennedy Center leaders lacked evidence to substantiate Habba’s allegations.

What We Could Not Confirm

We could not confirm the specific identity of the private company or Texas defense firm that allegedly received the $5.6 million. The exact nature and purpose of the $17.6 million business deal between Turhan Mildon and Ric Grenell remain undisclosed. The full findings or progress of the White House Counsel's investigation into the allegations are not yet publicly known. It is also unclear whether Mildon independently verified that the $5.6 million was deposited as intended.