Trump orders internal investigation into Ric Grenell: Report

People close to the president keep being accused of trading money for access — it seems that in this administration, proximity to power has becoming a currency of its own.

Axios broke this story , reporting that the White House is investigating allegations involving former Kennedy Center director Ric Grenell, Trump adviser Alina Habba and her husband, Turkish businessman Turhan Mildon.

Here’s what’s being alleged and what we still don’t know.

According to Axios, Habba told President Trump that Grenell directed her husband to send $17.6 million to a Texas defense and security company, with approximately $5.6 million supposedly earmarked for the Kennedy Center. A text message provided to the White House allegedly promised Mildon VIP events and access to administration officials, including the president, in connection with arranging a donation.

That is a serious allegation. There is a financial record reportedly showing a transfer to the company. But Axios also reported that the money came from Congo’s finance ministry, rather than directly from Mildon’s personal account as initially suggested. The relationship between that payment, a purported Congo software deal and the Kennedy Center donation, remains unclear.

The Kennedy Center reportedly has no record of receiving the alleged $5.6 million contribution. Grenell denies soliciting money under false pretenses and denies sending the disputed text. The White House is still investigating, including the message’s digital authenticity.

So we have unanswered questions, conflicting accounts and a documented transfer whose purpose and ownership still need to be established. We do not yet have a public finding that Grenell stole money. But this latest controversy lands in an administration already facing plenty of concerning questions about money and influence.

Just look at Kimberly Guilfoyle. The Wall Street Journal reported that she sought $100,000 from Republican donor Eric Deters to cover an American Express bill while he was seeking her help with personal legal and IRS tax matters. After allegations of misconduct emerged, she was asked to step down as ambassador to Greece.

Then there’s the White House ballroom, funded by private donors, where The Washington Post reported that some contributors had significant business before the federal government .

And don’t get me started with the presidential clemency decisions involving wealthy or politically connected figures, which have made many of us question who benefits from access. Remember Changpeng Zhao, the founder of Binance , who reportedly donated essential and really expensive software to help the Trump family launch a cryptocurrency right before receiving a pardon?

All of these instances are reasons why many Americans feel Trump, and now his allies and colleagues, are using the office of presidency to enrich themselves.

Trump has ordered an investigation into Grenell. That’s a good start. But the standard should be the same for everyone, including the president himself: Follow the money, check the evidence and get rid of anyone grifting.

Lindsey Granger is a NewsNation contributor and co-host of The Hill’s commentary show “Rising.” This column is an edited transcription of her on-air commentary.