Ex-Kennedy Center Director Accused of Promising Trump Access for $5.6M Donation

Ric Grenell, the former executive director of the Kennedy Center, is accused of promising Turkish billionaire Turhan Mildon access to President Trump in exchange for a $5.6 million donation to the performing arts venue that was never deposited. The White House counsel's office is reportedly investigating Grenell over the alleged failure to deliver the funds.

Alina Habba, Mildon's new wife, informed President Trump during an Oval Office meeting on October 9 that her husband had been misled into providing the funds. According to text messages first reported by Axios, Grenell allegedly wrote to Mildon on May 3, 2025, stating, “Once the money comes to the company here, I will arrange the donation to Kennedy Centre [sic], and you’ll be joining the VIP events and get close with the administration, even with POTUS.”

The alleged $5.6 million donation was reportedly to be drawn from a larger $17.6 million wire transfer from Mildon to the defense software company Texas Armament & Technology. Grenell, who previously served as the U.S. ambassador to Germany and as Trump's acting intelligence director, has reportedly denied sending the text message, pointing to the British spelling of "Centre" as evidence. However, a source told The Post that Axios' account of the text message aligns with information they had previously heard regarding the scandal.

Mildon has provided financial records to the White House showing a May 29, 2025, wire transfer of $17.6 million to the Texas company. Axios reported that the funds originated not from Mildon, but from the Ministry of Finance of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Both Axios and The New York Times reported that the business deal involved the central African nation, though the specific nature of the venture remains unclear. Mildon has previously stated that he operates limestone quarries and copper, cobalt, and gold mines in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Mildon and Habba, who previously served as Trump's personal attorney and briefly worked at the White House, were married on September 26. They reportedly met earlier this year at the Kennedy Center.

Grenell and Mildon had prior interactions concerning Venezuela, where Grenell served as a Trump envoy. Mildon operates state-owned cement plants in Venezuela. His contract to run those plants was reportedly paused by Venezuelan interim president Delcy Rodriguez in June after she learned of Mildon's relationship with Habba, according to The New York Times.