Trump erupts over Alina Habba’s $50 million deal, wants part of fee for his library: Report
WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump reportedly erupted after learning that his former personal lawyer, Alina Habba Mildon, had secured a contract worth more than $50 million with the family of Venezuelan billionaire Julio Herrera Velutini, according to a report by The New York Times.
Trump reportedly told aides and allies that Habba Mildon should donate part of the money to his future presidential library or another Trump-related entity. The deal came shortly before Herrera received a full presidential pardon from Trump, although Habba Mildon has denied that her employment had anything to do with securing the pardon.
Trump reportedly seeks donation from Alina Habba's $50 million deal
According to the report, Trump expressed anger over the size of the contract during conversations with aides and allies last week. The president also reportedly told at least one ally that the Herrera family should not pay out the remainder of the agreement, a message that was subsequently conveyed to the family.
Habba Mildon had signed a four-year contract to serve as general counsel for Concord Partners, a company established by Herrera's daughter. The agreement provides for payments of $10 million annually, alongside additional bonuses, guaranteeing her more than $50 million over the four-year period, according to documents and interviews cited by the newspaper.
She formally began working for the family on January 1. However, weeks later, Trump granted Herrera a full and unconditional pardon for a misdemeanor campaign finance violation. Herrera had previously faced felony bribery charges but reached a plea agreement in 2025, ultimately pleading guilty to the misdemeanor offense.
The nature of Concord Partners' business remains unclear, with the company having little public profile. According to the newspaper, even some people associated with the Herrera business empire were unclear about its operations.
Trump also spoke with Habba Mildon about the contract, although it is not known whether he directly asked her to donate money or only raised the idea with others. He separately discussed the newspaper's reporting with Christopher M. Kise, another former Trump lawyer who had represented Herrera in his pardon case.
Big Scoop: After leaving public service, I’ve gone back to doing what I have done for my entire career: being a lawyer. If the New York Times simply went back and looked at their own reporting, they have already credited another capable attorney for what he successfully did without me and took credit for. Any insinuation that my employment — all of which has been vetted and disclosed to the D.O.J. — had anything to do with securing a pardon is false and defamatory. What’s more, even though I’ve told this activist “journalist” at The New York Times for each of his many hit pieces on me and my family to refer to me as Alina Mildon, my actual name, they can’t help but do what they have always done- use my old name for clicks. Intentional, pathetic and obvious. Do not let left wing media distract you from the amazing work this President and administration has done. I know this game all too well.
— Alina Mildon (@AlinaHabba) October 20, 2026
Habba Mildon responded to the report on X, rejecting suggestions that her employment was connected to Herrera's pardon.
Habba Mildon has denied any connection between her employment and Herrera's pardon. “Any insinuation that my employment, all of which has been vetted and disclosed to the DOJ, had anything to do with securing a pardon is false,” she said in a statement.
Trump previously criticized advisers over consulting payments
The dispute comes amid previous instances in which Trump expressed displeasure over advisers earning substantial fees for consulting work involving foreign governments or entities.
Earlier this month, Trump distanced himself from two senior advisers involved in Republican midterm strategy, James Blair and Chris LaCivita, after reports emerged that each had received hundreds of thousands of dollars for advising Republika Srpska, a pro-Russian Balkan government.
James Blair: “Yes, it’s true we donated our full fee. I love the President and am eternally grateful for the opportunities he has provided me. Contributing to the preservation of his legacy of greatness is my honor!”
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) October 23, 2026
Following Trump's public criticism, both advisers said they would donate the consulting fees to Trump's presidential library fund. The president later suggested that he had not explicitly instructed them to make the contributions.
“They took the money and they gave it to essentially a charity,” Trump told reporters, adding, “I think it was a very nice thing to do.”
Trump is seeking to raise $1 billion for his planned presidential library in Miami.
