19.10.2026 21:40
A claim of a multi-million-dollar money transfer involving US President Donald Trump’s inner circle has caused a stir. As messages alleged to have been exchanged between Trump’s adviser Richard Grenell and the spouse of the US President’s former lawyer, Alina Habba—Turkish businessman Turhan Mildon—are under scrutiny, the purpose of the $17.6 million transfer and the fate of the donation planned for the Kennedy Center are being investigated. Grenell, meanwhile, denies the claim that he sent the controversial message.
It has been alleged that Richard Grenell, adviser to US President Donald Trump, promised Turkish businessman Turhan Mildon, the husband of Trump's former lawyer Alina Habba, access to administration circles in exchange for a money transfer. It was reported that an investigation was launched into messages submitted to the White House and documents concerning a $17.6 million money transfer. Grenell denied the claim that he sent the controversial message.
A new controversy has arisen in US President Donald Trump's administration. According to a report by US-based Axios, messages alleged to have been exchanged between Trump's adviser Richard Grenell and Turkish businessman Turhan Mildon, a planned donation to the Kennedy Center and a multimillion-dollar money transfer have been brought onto the White House's agenda.
According to the allegations, after the money transfer in question, Grenell stated that Mildon could be provided with access to administration circles and senior figures through the Kennedy Center. It was reported that a process was initiated on Trump's instructions to examine the messages and money movements.
“YOU WILL EVEN GET CLOSE TO TRUMP” CLAIM
In the news report published by Axios, it was alleged that in a message said to be dated May 3, 2025, Grenell said that after the money transfer he would arrange for a donation to be made to the Kennedy Center and would facilitate Mildon's access to administration circles.
In the message, it was reported that the following statements were included: “When the money arrives at the company here, I will arrange for a donation to be made to the Kennedy Center, and by attending VIP events you will get close to the administration, and even to the US President.”
It was also alleged that the correspondence contained statements regarding Mildon's activities in Venezuela. Grenell, however, did not accept the claim that he sent the message in question. The authenticity of the messages was one of the main subjects of the ongoing investigation.
DOCUMENT FOR $17.6 MILLION TRANSFER
Another issue that drew attention in the file was the $17.6 million money transfer. It was reported that Mildon's lawyers submitted to the White House a document said to show a bank transfer dated May 29, 2025.
According to the report, the money was sent to the Houston-based defense company Texas Armament & Technology (TXAT). The connection of the transfer to the planned donation for the Kennedy Center and the allegations of access to administration circles is being investigated.
The purpose for which the money movement in question was carried out and what relationship it has with the planned donation are among the questions the investigation is seeking to answer.
WHITE HOUSE INVESTIGATING AUTHENTICITY OF MESSAGES
According to Aixos's report, White House Counsel Will Scharf has begun preparations for a digital examination to determine the authenticity of the messages submitted to him. The investigation aims to verify the digital traces of the correspondence and compare the records submitted by the parties.
Because Grenell denies the message, the source and accuracy of the correspondence are important. It was also reported that the White House is trying to clarify the fate of the money transfer and whether the planned donation for the Kennedy Center was made.
KENNEDY CENTER DONATION AT CENTER OF CONTROVERSY
At the initial stage of the incident, an allegation came to the fore that $5.6 million said to have been set aside for the Kennedy Center did not reach the institution. It was reported that Turhan Mildon's wife, Alina Habba, directly conveyed the allegations on the matter to Trump.
With the emergence of new messages, the controversy expanded to include the fate of the donation as well as allegations that access was provided to administration circles and topics concerning a Congo-linked money transfer.
While the investigation at the White House continues, the allegations about Richard Grenell have not yet been finalized. Questions concerning the authenticity of the messages, the purpose of the money transfer and the fate of the planned donation are expected to be clarified as a result of the investigation.