Trump adviser Ric Grenell accused of offering POTUS access in exchange for donation, White House investigates

Text message allegedly from Grenell to Turkish businessman details pay-for-play scheme involving Kennedy Center funds and Congo business deal

By LineZotpaper

Published20 October 2026

Read Time3 min

Top Trump adviser Ric Grenell allegedly offered a Turkish billionaire access to President Trump and administration officials in exchange for a donation to the Kennedy Center, according to a text message reviewed by Axios. The White House counsel is investigating the claims.

A text message from May 2025, reviewed by Axios, has become a central piece of evidence in a White House investigation into whether Ric Grenell abused the president's trust and misappropriated a potential multimillion-dollar donation to the Kennedy Center. The message, allegedly sent by Grenell to Turkish businessman Turhan Mildon, reads in part: "Once the money comes to the company here, I will arrange the donation to Kennedy Centre, and you'll be joining the VIP events and get close with the administration, even with POTUS."

Grenell has called the accusations "absurd" and hotly denied sending the text, pointing to the British spelling of "centre" as evidence. "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 at all," he previously told Axios.

At the heart of the alleged scheme is a $17.6 million wire to Texas Armament & Technology (TXAT), a Houston-based defense company. Mildon alleges that at Grenell's direction, the money was intended to be split between a business deal in the Democratic Republic of Congo and a donation to the Kennedy Center. However, records show the wire came from Congo's Ministry of Finance, not from Mildon's personal account, raising questions about the source of the funds. Mildon's attorneys have provided the text message, an email, and a financial record to the White House counsel.

The allegations came to light on October 9, when Mildon's wife, Trump adviser and former U.S. attorney Alina Habba, confronted President Trump in the Oval Office. According to administration officials, she accused Grenell of stealing the money, though her account of the amount changed over time. Trump subsequently ordered White House Counsel Will Scharf to investigate.

Scharf has grown skeptical of Habba's claims due to initial delays in providing documents, but sources say the investigation is ongoing. The digital footprint of the text message, including Grenell's contact image, is being verified. Meanwhile, administration officials point out that Mildon received VIP access at the Kennedy Center, including appearances in the vice president's box, despite no donation being recorded. "Here's where Alina might be telling the truth: Mildon did get access. So why did he get access?" one official asked. "There's a lot of questions. And POTUS wants answers."

Grenell's allies have questioned Mildon's background and business dealings, including his age and a recent $10 million wedding to Habba. The investigation continues.

Analysis

Why This Matters

The allegations strike at the core of the Trump administration's integrity, involving a top adviser accused of selling access to the president.
The involvement of foreign funds from Congo's government raises potential national security and campaign finance concerns.
The outcome could reshape the White House's inner circle and set a precedent for how such accusations are handled.

Background

Ric Grenell has held multiple roles in the Trump administration, including special envoy to Venezuela and chairman of the Kennedy Center. Turkish businessman Turhan Mildon has business interests in Congo and Venezuela, where Grenell also served. The two were reportedly friendly since 2024. Mildon married Trump adviser Alina Habba in 2025 after meeting her at the Kennedy Center. The White House counsel's office is now investigating whether Grenell orchestrated a scheme where a Congo-related business payment would also fund a Kennedy Center donation in exchange for political access.

Key Perspectives

Accusers (Habba and Mildon): They allege Grenell directed a $17.6 million wire from Congo to a defense company, with the understanding that nearly $6 million would go to the Kennedy Center. They provided evidence including a text message and financial records to the White House. Grenell and his allies: They deny any wrongdoing, calling the accusations "absurd." Grenell disputes the authenticity of the text, citing a British spelling of "centre." His allies question Mildon's credibility and business history. White House officials: The investigation, ordered by President Trump, is ongoing. Some officials express skepticism about Habba's changing accounts but acknowledge the situation "looks really shady." They are focused on verifying the text's authenticity and tracing the source of the Congo funds.

What to Watch

Whether digital forensic analysis confirms the text message as genuinely from Grenell's phone.
The White House counsel's next steps and whether any formal charges or disciplinary actions follow.
How the involvement of Congolese government funds might escalate the matter to federal agencies beyond the White House.

Sources

Exclusive: Secret pay-for-play text rocks Trump White House · Axios

Checked

12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.

Show each claim

SupportedTrump adviser Ric Grenell accused of offering POTUS access in exchange for donationAxios: “Ric Grenell allegedly outlined a stunning pay-for-influence offer to a Turkish billionaire last year: access to 'POTUS,' 'VIP events' and administration officials, according to a text message, reviewed by Axios, that the White House counsel is investigating.”
SupportedWhite House investigatesAxios: “the White House counsel is investigating”
SupportedText message allegedly from Grenell to Turkish businessman details pay-for-play scheme involving Kennedy Center funds and Congo business dealAxios: “Ric Grenell allegedly outlined a stunning pay-for-influence offer to a Turkish billionaire... the text that discussed the Kennedy Center donation and Congo 'software'”
SupportedTop Trump adviser Ric Grenell allegedly offered a Turkish billionaire access to President Trump and administration officials in exchange for a donation to the Kennedy CenterAxios: “Ric Grenell allegedly outlined a stunning pay-for-influence offer to a Turkish billionaire last year: access to 'POTUS,' 'VIP events' and administration officials, according to a text message”
SupportedAccording to a text message reviewed by AxiosAxios: “according to a text message, reviewed by Axios”
SupportedThe White House counsel is investigating the claimsAxios: “the White House counsel is investigating”
SupportedA text message from May 2025Axios: “the May 3, 2025, text says”
SupportedQuote: 'Once the money comes to the company here, I will arrange the donation to Kennedy Centre, and you'll be joining the VIP events and get close with the administration, even with POTUS.'Axios: “"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 May 3, 2025, text says.”
SupportedGrenell has called the accusations 'absurd' and hotly denied sending the textAxios: “Grenell, who declined to comment for this article, previously told Axios that the claims against him are 'absurd.' ... Grenell hotly denied he sent it”
Supported$17.6 million wire to Texas Armament & Technology (TXAT)Axios: “Mildon wired $17.6 million to Texas Armament & Technology ... the $17.6 million was wired to the company”
SupportedThe wire came from Congo's Ministry of Finance, not from Mildon's personal accountAxios: “the $17.6 million was wired to TXAT from Congo's 'Ministère des Finances' in Kinshasa”
SupportedThe allegations came to light on October 9, when Mildon's wife, Trump adviser and former U.S. attorney Alina Habba, confronted President Trump in the Oval OfficeAxios: “Habba stormed into the Oval Office on Oct. 9 and accused Grenell”