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3 clusters · 25 sources · 4 days · First seen · Last updated

White House investigation into Kennedy Center donation

Overview

The White House has launched an investigation into a dispute between prominent Trump associates Richard Grenell and Alina Habba Mildon regarding a missing donation intended for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Habba Mildon, a former lawyer for Donald Trump, alleged that a significant portion of a business transaction involving her husband, Turkish businessman Turhan Mildon, was intended as a donation to the Kennedy Center but was never delivered. She claimed that Grenell, who led the institution at the time, siphoned off the funds.

While some reports cite a total wire transfer of $17.6 million, the specific amount allegedly missing is estimated between $5.6 million and $6 million. New details indicate the $17.6 million transfer was made in May 2025 to the Texas-based defense and security company Texas Armament & Technology (TX-AT). Investigations have revealed complexities regarding the source of the funds; while initial claims linked the money to Turhan Mildon, subsequent reports indicate the wire transfer originated from a bank account affiliated with the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo, a country where Mildon has served as a consultant and holds a diplomatic passport.

Following an alleged confrontation in the Oval Office on October 9, 2026, where Habba Mildon reportedly confronted the President regarding the misappropriated funds, Donald Trump ordered the White House Counsel’s Office to investigate Grenell for influence peddling. The inquiry focuses on allegations that Grenell promised Mildon VIP access to government officials and the President in exchange for the donation. Grenell has denied all allegations, describing the claims as ‘absurd’ and ‘lies,’ maintaining that he did not receive the funds or send the messages in question.

Entities

Alina Habba · Ric Grenell · Kennedy Center · Donald Trump · Turhan Mildon

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

Coverage disagrees

Sources make claims that cannot both be true. CLSTR reports the disagreement; it does not decide who is right.

  • "Alina Habba confronted the President in the Oval Office on October 9 regarding the alleged fraud." www.dimokratia.gr · www.reporter.gr · www.in4s.net · nezavisen.mk · ntv.al · +6 more

    vs

    "Alina Hamba entered the Oval Office to allege that Grenell stole the money." www.dimokratia.gr

    The claims differ on the specific reason Alina Habba (or Hamba) confronted the President in the Oval Office (alleged fraud vs. alleging Grenell stole money).

Timeline

  1. [POLITICS] 2 sources
    White House investigates $17.6 million transfer by Turhan Mildon

    The White House is investigating a $17.6 million transfer by Turkish businessman Turhan Mildon, involving allegations that $5.6 million intended for the Kennedy Center was never delivered.

  2. [POLITICS] 22 sources
    Richard Grenell under White House investigation for alleged influence peddling

    Richard Grenell is under White House investigation for allegedly promising Turkish businessman Turhan Mildon access to Donald Trump in exchange for a multi-million dollar donation.

  3. [POLITICS] 2 sources
    White House investigates claims of missing $6 million Kennedy Center donation

    The White House is investigating allegations by Alina Habba that Ric Grenell failed to deposit a $6 million donation to the Kennedy Center made by her husband.

Sources

advocate.com · athina984.gr · boldmedya.com · dimokratia.gr · gazeta10.com · guvengazetesi.com.tr · habermeydan.com · iefimerida.gr · in4s.net · infokosova.net · joemygod.com · lykavitos.gr · nezavisen.mk · ntv.al · offthepress.com · onedio.com · out.com · real.gr · Reporter.gr · rethemnosnews.gr · sondakika.com · talkingpointsmemo.com · thefaq.gr · townpress.co.za · vathikokkino.gr

This summary has been updated 4 times: see revision history