White House examines claims of missing $5.6 million Kennedy Center donation

President Donald Trump has directed White House counsel to investigate allegations that former Kennedy Center leader Ric Grenell failed to deposit a multimillion-dollar donation from billionaire Turhan Mildon. Former Trump attorney Alina Habba, Mildon's wife, told the president that the contribution never reached the center, according to four senior administration officials and three insiders.

Grenell denied the accusations as "absurd" and a "lie." Habba and Mildon declined to comment through a spokesperson. White House sources stated that Habba told officials the contribution was valued at nearly $6 million, though she initially cited a figure of $17 million before correcting it to $5.6 million after learning specifics from her husband.

The dispute stems from a business arrangement in spring 2025. Habba alleges that Grenell persuaded Mildon to include a Kennedy Center donation in a $17.6 million lump-sum payment for a deal involving a U.S. company. Habba's attorneys plan to provide documentation to the White House to support her claims that Grenell solicited the donation for a private company. A White House official noted that the counsel has requested documents and proof, but none have been received.

Grenell stated that he never asked for money to be sent elsewhere under the pretense of a Kennedy Center donation and never received any payment from Mildon. He challenged Mildon to provide proof of his allegations. The conflict between the two advisers has intensified since Grenell lost an internal power struggle with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, which culminated in the U.S. seizing Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro on January 3.

Mildon's business interests in Venezuela were threatened by U.S. pressure campaigns targeting Maduro. In June, Maduro's successor, Delcy Rodriguez, revoked one of Mildon's contracts to operate state-owned cement plants in Venezuela, according to The New York Times. A source told Axios that this action was partly due to U.S. government prodding. Rodriguez later reversed the decision after learning of Mildon's new relationship with Habba, believing he had Trump's backing.

During this period, Habba discovered that Mildon's supposed donation had not been credited. Kennedy Center records indicate that Mildon owed a $270,000 pledged donation, with no record of the larger sum. Mildon paid the $270,000 on Tuesday. Lisa Dale, who handled finances for the center at the time, told Axios that her books showed only the $270,000 debt and no record of a $6 million contribution.

The investigation provides a glimpse into tensions within Trump's inner circle. The Kennedy Center has faced controversy over Trump's efforts to put his name on the building and fundraising issues. A senior administration official cautioned that these are only allegations and could be a misunderstanding, but noted that missing money would be a significant problem for the president.