The New York Times

THEORY: Have you heard about the so-called 'MAGA Blood Feud' between Alina Habba and Ric Grenell? If not, I'm sure you will hear about it. In the meantime, let me share my theory about what is really going on (this is 100% speculation): For background, Alina Habba met Turhan Mildon, a Turkish Islamic billionaire, late last year at the Kennedy Center. They got married last month in a lavish $10M wedding. Habba learned that Mildon had promised a $270,000 donation to the Kennedy Center but never sent the money. Mildon had previously told Habba he had donated $17 million to the center. When she confronted him about the $270,000 delinquency, Mildon clarified that he actually donated only $5.6 million. He further clarified that he didn't make the donation directly, but told Ric Grenell to subtract it from a 17.6 million payment for a business deal he made with him. Mildon claims that Grenell was supposed to make the donation on his behalf. After his wife confronted him about the $270,000, he immediately sent the money to the Kennedy Center. Ric Grenell, for his part, said he never received any money from Mildon, let alone $17.6 million, explaining, "Absurd. 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. Make him give proof to what he is saying, not make these absurd allegations." It sounds a lot like the Turkish national who convinced Habba to marry him less than a year after meeting him got caught in a lie, and it has unraveled in the most embarrassing way. Mildon sought influence in the Trump administration to protect his investments in Venezuela, and donating to the president's favorite charities is a smart way to gain access. He would NEVER try to hide a charitable donation as part of a payment for a commercial business deal with a member of the president's administration. For Ric Grennel's part, he's far too intelligent and rational to agree to such a hair-brained scheme - it could only end badly. Again, this is my reading of the situation and is purely speculation. I'd be curious to hear what your theory is. axios.com/2026/10/14/trump-k…