White House reviews alleged $5.6 million Kennedy Center donation

President Donald Trump directed White House counsel to examine Alina Habba’s allegation that a $5.6 million donation intended for the Kennedy Center was not deposited, bringing a disputed claim involving former center leader Ric Grenell under review. The allegation has not been verified, and Grenell denies requesting or receiving money from Habba’s husband, Turhan Mildon. The reported donation was allegedly part of a $17.6 million lump-sum payment tied to a business transaction in spring 2025. Accounts of the claim, attributed to Habba in conversations with Trump and administration officials, say she first described a larger donation before identifying the disputed amount as $5.6 million after discussing the transaction with Mildon. The destination of the larger payment has not been identified in the supplied reports. White House counsel requested documents supporting the allegation. Officials gave differing accounts of whether the material had reached counsel: one said it had not arrived, while another said Mildon’s lawyers had provided documentation. The reports do not establish what the documents contain or resolve the status of their submission. Grenell said he had never...