Trump lawyer’s new husband linked to Venezuelan deals amid past sanction concerns
Alina Habba married Turhan Mildon, a Turkish businessman with extensive Venezuelan connections that previously raised U.S. sanction worries.
Alina Habba, who previously served as acting U.S. attorney for the District of New Jersey and is close to Donald Trump, married Turkish entrepreneur Turhan Mildon in a lavish Waldorf Astoria event attended by senior MAGA allies such as Kash Patel, Todd Blanche and Will Scharf. Mildon’s portfolio includes cement-factory operations awarded by Maduro ally Alex Saab in March 2025 and a seized shrimp-export business, linking him closely to Venezuela’s ruling circle.
U.S. officials had examined the possibility of sanctioning him last year, but the initiative was abandoned after the administration’s capture of Maduro in Caracas. Critics note that Mildon’s attempts to introduce Saab to Republican insiders raised concerns within the intelligence community. While Mildon calls sanction rumors “false and malicious,” a Trump administration source says no sanctions were ever under consideration. The episode highlights ongoing entanglements between Trump-aligned figures and the Venezuelan regime.
Why it matters
It shows how personal relationships within the Trump circle intersect with controversial foreign business ties and U.S. sanction policy.
How this story developed
- Oct 8 Ambassador-to-Greece nominee reportedly asked donor for $100k wire to personal account
- Oct 11 The State Department Inspector General has opened a probe into the ambassador’s conduct.
- Oct 13 President Trump said a decision on Guilfoyle’s removal could be made this week.
- Oct 13 White House formally requested Guilfoyle’s resignation.
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