Full Breakdown
Alleged Pay-to-Play Scheme Tied to the Kennedy Center
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Alleged Scheme and Text Leak
A text message scheduled for May 3, 2025 reportedly shows former Trump-appointed Kennedy Center chairman Richard Grenell promising a donation in exchange for VIP access to the administration. The message, reviewed by Axios, was sent to Turkish businessman Turhan Mildon, who is married to former Trump personal lawyer Alina Habba. Grenell is also listed as the U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Special Missions.
Background of the Grenell–Habba Conflict
Habba and Mildon allege that Grenell instructed Mildon to transfer $17.6 million to the Texas firm TX-AT in May 2025, with $5.6 million earmarked for the Kennedy Center that never arrived. Habba is said to have confronted Grenell in the Oval Office earlier this month, prompting President Donald Trump to task White House counsel with an investigation. Grenell, 60, previously served a year-long tenure as Kennedy Center president before stepping down amid declining ticket sales and performer boycotts.
Official Responses and Investigation
Grenell denied sending the text and labeled the accusations “lies.” He told The Times, “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.” Grenell also called the allegations “absurd” and urged proof of the claims. The White House counsel’s office has received the text, related financial documents, and other correspondence for review.
Financial Claims and Key Figures
- Richard Grenell – former Kennedy Center chairman, special envoy, age 60.
- Alina Habba – former Trump personal lawyer, age 42, briefly acting U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey.
- Turhan Mildon – Turkish businessman, publicly states age 29; U.S. and British records list him as 25.
- Alleged transfer: $17.6 million total, $5.6 million intended for the Kennedy Center.
Verbatim Quotes
- “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,” — Richard Grenell, kennedy center chairman
- “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,” — Richard Grenell, kennedy center chairman