White House Investigates Allegations of Missing Kennedy Center Donation

<p>President Trump has directed his White House counsel to investigate allegations regarding a missing donation to the Kennedy Center. Former Trump attorney Alina Habba informed the president that Ric Grenell, a former Kennedy Center leader, failed to deposit a multimillion-dollar donation made by her husband, according to four senior administration officials and three insiders briefed on the matter.</p><ul><li>Grenell has denied the allegations, calling them "absurd" and a "lie." </li><li>Habba and her husband, Turhan Mildon, did not provide comments through a spokesperson.</li></ul><p>The total value of the alleged contribution is reported to be nearly $6 million, as stated by White House sources. A senior administration official noted that these are only allegations and that the truth remains uncertain, suggesting it could be a misunderstanding. Another official remarked on the seriousness of the situation if the claims are substantiated.</p><hr /><ul><li>Grenell was previously friends with Mildon and Habba, but he did not attend their $10 million wedding, which was attended by various officials and power brokers.</li></ul><p>The dispute reportedly stems from a friendship between Grenell and Mildon, who had mutual interests in Venezuela following Trump's return to the White House. Grenell, serving as a Trump special envoy, was advocating for normalizing relations with Venezuela's leader, Nicolas Maduro, while Mildon had business interests in the country that were affected by U.S. policy.</p><ul><li>In the spring of 2025, Grenell allegedly persuaded Mildon to include a Kennedy Center donation in a larger business deal. Habba's attorneys plan to provide documentation to the White House to support her claims regarding Grenell soliciting the donation.</li><li>The White House counsel has requested proof, but no documentation has been submitted thus far, according to a White House official.</li></ul><p>Grenell has challenged Habba's statements, asserting he never solicited funds under false pretenses and demanding proof of her allegations. Initially, Habba claimed the donation amount was $17 million, but later clarified it to $5.6 million.</p><ul><li>After making the alleged contribution, Mildon did not verify its deposit, believing he was recognized as a VIP donor at the Kennedy Center. The issue came to light after Mildon and Habba's business relationship with Grenell deteriorated.</li></ul><p>Habba informed Trump of the situation last Friday, expressing frustration upon learning that Mildon's donation had not been made directly to the Kennedy Center. Records indicate that Mildon owed a $270,000 pledged donation, which he subsequently paid.</p><p>In partial support of Habba's claims, Kennedy Center staff noted a search for Mildon's contribution, initially thought to be $6 million, but could not find any record of it. Lisa Dale, who managed finances for the Kennedy Center, stated that the only record associated with Mildon was the $270,000 owed.</p><p>Habba and Grenell have connections to Trump's first administration, with Grenell serving as Trump's ambassador to Germany and acting director of national intelligence, while Habba was Trump's private attorney and briefly served as U.S. attorney in New Jersey.</p><p>The Kennedy Center has been a contentious issue for Trump, particularly regarding fundraising efforts. If Habba's allegations are validated, it could be particularly concerning for Trump, who is sensitive to the misuse of his name and positions. The ongoing feud between two prominent figures in Trump's circle adds complexity to the situation.</p>