Alina Habba says Ric Grenell never deposited her husband's Kennedy Center donation; Grenell calls it 'an absurd claim'
Alina Habba told Trump that Ric Grenell never deposited a Kennedy Center donation from her husband, Turhan Mildon, Axios reported. Grenell calls it an absurd claim and denies sending a text that offered Mildon access to Trump.
Case period:
Published by The Dispute Index editorial teamPublished Updated
Overview
According to Axios, Habba told Trump that in the spring of 2025 Grenell persuaded Mildon to include the donation in a $17.6 million payment to Texas Armament & Technology, a Houston defense firm, tied to a business deal. Habba first put the donation at $17 million, then at about $5.6 million. Officials told Axios that Kennedy Center records show Mildon owed only a $270,000 pledged donation, which records show he paid on October 13, and no record of a gift close to $5.6 million. On October 19, Axios reported a May 3, 2025 text in which Grenell allegedly told Mildon he would arrange the donation once the money reached the company and that Mildon would get close to the administration, 'even with POTUS'. Grenell denies sending it. The Advocate, citing Axios, reports that financial records identify Congo's Finance Ministry as the source of the transfer.
Read the full background
Trump installed himself as chairman of the Kennedy Center and Grenell as its president in February 2025, and Grenell stepped down in March 2026. Habba, Trump's former personal attorney, married Mildon in September 2026. Mildon has business ties in Venezuela, where Grenell has served as Trump's special envoy. White House Counsel Will Scharf is reviewing the allegations at Trump's direction.
People in this case
Richard GrenellDirectly involved
Alina HabbaDirectly involved
Josh MarshallCommented
Timeline
3 timeline entries on this page. Dates: October 9, 2026 to October 19, 2026
October 2026
Habba tells Trump that Grenell never deposited her husband's donation
Incident
In an Oval Office meeting, Alina Habba tells President Trump that Ric Grenell failed to deposit a Kennedy Center donation made by her husband, Turhan Mildon, according to Axios. Trump orders the White House counsel to review the claim.
[01]Axios
Axios post on X summarizing its exclusive report that Alina Habba told President Trump in the Oval Office that Ric Grenell failed to deposit a multimillion-dollar Kennedy Center donation made by her husband.
Axios post reporting Alina Habba's accusation against Ric Grenell · AxiosFull post, October 14, 2026[02]Raw Story
Raw Story summary of Axios's October 14 report on Habba's accusation, Grenell's denial, Kennedy Center records and the White House counsel review.
Trump demands probe as MAGA allies clash over 'missing' Kennedy Center cash: report · Raw StoryFull articleAxios reports the accusation, and Grenell calls it 'an absurd claim'
Source release
Axios reports Habba's accusation and the White House counsel review. Grenell replies that he never asked for money to be redirected and never received any payment from Mildon.
[01]Axios
Axios post on X summarizing its exclusive report that Alina Habba told President Trump in the Oval Office that Ric Grenell failed to deposit a multimillion-dollar Kennedy Center donation made by her husband.
Axios post reporting Alina Habba's accusation against Ric Grenell · AxiosFull post, October 14, 2026[03]Richard Grenell
Ric Grenell's reply on X to the Axios post about Alina Habba's accusation that he failed to deposit a Kennedy Center donation.
Ric Grenell reply to Axios calling the accusation 'an absurd claim' · Richard GrenellFull post, October 14, 2026[02]Raw Story
Raw Story summary of Axios's October 14 report on Habba's accusation, Grenell's denial, Kennedy Center records and the White House counsel review.
Trump demands probe as MAGA allies clash over 'missing' Kennedy Center cash: report · Raw StoryFull articleAxios reports a 2025 text offering Mildon access 'even with POTUS'
Source release
Axios reports a May 3, 2025 text message that Grenell allegedly sent Mildon tying a Kennedy Center donation to VIP events and access to the administration. Grenell denies sending it. Axios also reports that financial records identify Congo's Finance Ministry as the source of the $17.6 million transfer.
[04]Raw Story
Raw Story summary of Axios's October 19 report on a May 3, 2025 text message that Grenell allegedly sent Turhan Mildon, and on Grenell's denial that he sent it.
Oval Office blowup deepens as alleged 'POTUS' access text emerges: 'Ric stole the money!' · Raw StoryFull article[05]MAGA Blood Feud Between Richard Grenell and Alina Habba Takes New Twist After Text to Turhan Mildon Leaks
Daily Beast report on the text message Axios says Grenell sent Mildon, with Grenell's earlier denials to The New York Times and the Daily Beast.
[06]Ric Grenell under fire over alleged offer of Trump access tied to missing Kennedy Center donation
The Advocate's summary of the allegations, including Axios's report that financial records identify Congo's Finance Ministry as the source of the $17.6 million transfer.
Claims
Claims separate what was said from what is contested. Follow each source for the original wording and context.
What was said
Attributed statement
Axios
In a May 3, 2025 text message, Grenell told Mildon that once the money reached a company he would arrange a donation to the Kennedy Center, and that Mildon would join VIP events and get close to the administration, 'even with POTUS'.
What is disputed
Axios says the text was among records that Mildon's attorneys gave the White House counsel. Grenell denies sending it, and a source briefed on his thinking told Axios that the British spelling 'Centre' in the message shows he did not write it. White House Counsel Will Scharf plans to verify the text's digital footprint, according to Axios.
Sources (3)
- Oval Office blowup deepens as alleged 'POTUS' access text emerges: 'Ric stole the money!' · Raw StoryFull article
What's disputed
Disputed claim
Ric Grenell failed to deposit a multimillion-dollar donation that Turhan Mildon made to the Kennedy Center.
What is disputed
Habba made the accusation to Trump in the Oval Office, according to Axios. Grenell denies asking for any money to be redirected and says he never received a payment from Mildon. Officials told Axios that Kennedy Center records show only a $270,000 pledge from Mildon, which records show he paid on October 13, and Habba's figure for the donation changed from $17 million to about $5.6 million.
Sources (3)
- Axios post reporting Alina Habba's accusation against Ric Grenell · AxiosFull post, October 14, 2026
- Trump demands probe as MAGA allies clash over 'missing' Kennedy Center cash: report · Raw StoryFull article
- Oval Office blowup deepens as alleged 'POTUS' access text emerges: 'Ric stole the money!' · Raw StoryFull article
Response record
Responses
Choose one response filter, or select All responses to see the full record.
2 responses. Newest first.
Josh MarshallFounder and editor of Talking Points Memo, writing on its Editors' BlogBefore this statement
Marshall writes that Grenell's defense seems to be that the texts are fake, and that he apparently points to the British spelling of 'centre' in one of them.
"It’s true that I certainly wouldn’t expect an American to use that spelling. But that seems like a pretty thin argument for Grenell to rest his whole case on."
Mixed or conditionalCase context: Alina Habba says Ric Grenell never deposited her husband's Kennedy Center donation; Grenell calls it 'an absurd claim'
Full statement and sources
Talking Points Memo founder Josh Marshall writes that Grenell apparently argues the British spelling of 'centre' shows the text is fake, and calls that a thin argument, while noting that the texts could be fake and that Habba's account of the donation has shifted.
After the statement
He adds that it is possible the texts are fake, since they seem to have been given to the White House as printouts, and later writes that Habba is not in good shape either because her account of the donation changed quickly.
'Let Them Fight!' Maybe It's Grenell's Turn In the Barrel EditionFull post, Editors' BlogWhy this label?
The case concerns the accusation that Grenell failed to deposit Mildon's Kennedy Center donation and the text he allegedly sent offering access to Trump. Marshall doubts Grenell's main defense against the text but also says the texts may be fake and that Habba's account changed, so his assessment is mixed.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
Richard GrenellFormer president of the Kennedy Center and U.S. special presidential envoy for special missions, in a post on XDirectly involvedBefore this statement
Grenell posted the reply to an Axios post reporting that Alina Habba told Trump in the Oval Office that Grenell failed to deposit a multimillion-dollar donation her husband made to the Kennedy Center.
"It’s an absurd claim. 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. Make him give proof to what he is saying, not make these absurd allegations."
DeniedCase context: Alina Habba says Ric Grenell never deposited her husband's Kennedy Center donation; Grenell calls it 'an absurd claim'
Full statement and sources
Replying to Axios, Ric Grenell calls the accusation absurd, says he never asked for one cent to be sent somewhere else pretending it was for the Kennedy Center and never received any payment from him, and demands proof. The Daily Beast reports that Grenell was referring to Mildon.
After the statement
Raw Story, citing Axios, reports that Habba and Mildon declined to comment through a spokesperson, and that a White House official said the counsel's office had asked for documents and proof and had received none so far.
Ric Grenell reply to Axios calling the accusation 'an absurd claim' · Richard GrenellFull post, October 14, 2026Axios post reporting Alina Habba's accusation against Ric Grenell · AxiosFull post, October 14, 2026Trump demands probe as MAGA allies clash over 'missing' Kennedy Center cash: report · Raw StoryFull articleWhy this label?
The case concerns the accusation, brought to Trump by Alina Habba, that Grenell failed to deposit a Kennedy Center donation from her husband, Turhan Mildon. Grenell says he never asked for money to be redirected and never received any payment, which denies the accusation.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
Sources
(7)
Original post
Axios post reporting Alina Habba's accusation against Ric Grenell
About this source
Axios post on X summarizing its exclusive report that Alina Habba told President Trump in the Oval Office that Ric Grenell failed to deposit a multimillion-dollar Kennedy Center donation made by her husband.
- Author
- Axios
- Published
- Accessed
Analysis
'Let Them Fight!' Maybe It's Grenell's Turn In the Barrel Edition
Relevant passage: Full post, Editors' Blog
About this source
Talking Points Memo editor Josh Marshall's analysis of Axios's October 19 report on the dispute between Grenell and Habba and Mildon.
- Author
- Josh Marshall
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
Ric Grenell under fire over alleged offer of Trump access tied to missing Kennedy Center donation
Relevant passage: Full article
About this source
The Advocate's summary of the allegations, including Axios's report that financial records identify Congo's Finance Ministry as the source of the $17.6 million transfer.
- Author
- Christopher Wiggins
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
MAGA Blood Feud Between Richard Grenell and Alina Habba Takes New Twist After Text to Turhan Mildon Leaks
Relevant passage: Full article
About this source
Daily Beast report on the text message Axios says Grenell sent Mildon, with Grenell's earlier denials to The New York Times and the Daily Beast.
- Author
- Julia Ornedo
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
Oval Office blowup deepens as alleged 'POTUS' access text emerges: 'Ric stole the money!'
Relevant passage: Full article
About this source
Raw Story summary of Axios's October 19 report on a May 3, 2025 text message that Grenell allegedly sent Turhan Mildon, and on Grenell's denial that he sent it.
- Author
- Travis Gettys
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
Trump demands probe as MAGA allies clash over 'missing' Kennedy Center cash: report
Relevant passage: Full article
About this source
Raw Story summary of Axios's October 14 report on Habba's accusation, Grenell's denial, Kennedy Center records and the White House counsel review.
- Author
- David Edwards
- Published
- Accessed
Original post
Ric Grenell reply to Axios calling the accusation 'an absurd claim'
About this source
Ric Grenell's reply on X to the Axios post about Alina Habba's accusation that he failed to deposit a Kennedy Center donation.
- Author
- Richard Grenell
- Published
- Accessed
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Cite this record
- Publisher
- The Dispute Index
- Title
- Alina Habba says Ric Grenell never deposited her husband's Kennedy Center donation; Grenell calls it 'an absurd claim'
- First published
- Last updated
- Permalink
- https://disputeindex.com/cases/habba-grenell-kennedy-center-donation
The Dispute Index. "Alina Habba says Ric Grenell never deposited her husband's Kennedy Center donation; Grenell calls it 'an absurd claim'". First published: 2026-10-30. Last updated: 2026-10-30. https://disputeindex.com/cases/habba-grenell-kennedy-center-donation