---
title: "Trump demanded cut of ex-lawyer's $50 million contract"
publication: "MediaBias News"
url: "https://mediabias.news/politics/trump-demanded-cut-of-ex-lawyers-50-million-contract"
api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/trump-demanded-cut-of-ex-lawyers-50-million-contract"
markdown: "https://mediabias.news/politics/trump-demanded-cut-of-ex-lawyers-50-million-contract.md"
audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/trump-demanded-cut-of-ex-lawyers-50-million-contract"
category: "Politics"
area: "United States"
published: "2026-11-01T03:05:33.307Z"
source_reported: "2026-11-01T02:39:00.000Z"
updated: "2026-11-02T07:15:26.049Z"
trust_score: 76
critic_score: 87
hype_score: 45
assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis"
fact_check_status: "not-performed"
coverage_measured: "2026-11-02T02:29:05.514Z"
---

# Trump demanded cut of ex-lawyer's $50 million contract

*President reportedly reacted angrily to Alina Habba Mildon's deal with a Venezuelan family.*

**Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): 

- Trust 76 of 100, higher is better. Trust 76 – named persons, specific $50 M figure, and two independent outlets corroborate the contract details.
- Craft 87 of 100, higher is better. Critic 87 – provides context, quotes from Habba and Grenell, clear facts, specific numbers, and coherent narrative.
- Hype 45 of 100, lower is better. Hype 45 – digests use sensational headlines, but article content remains proportionate.

Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology.

**The short version**

- Alina Habba Mildon obtained a $50 million contract to work for the Venezuelan billionaire Velutini family.
- President Donald Trump reacted angrily to the contract, calling it 'not acceptable' and suggesting Habba Mildon donate some of the money to his presidential library.
- The contract stipulated $10 million annually for four years, plus bonuses, for Habba Mildon to serve as general counsel to Concord Partners.
- Julio Herrera Velutini, a banker indicted in 2022, was pardoned by Trump in January after pleading guilty to a campaign finance violation.

Alina Habba Mildon secured a $50 million contract to work for the Venezuelan billionaire Velutini family. The agreement provided $10 million per year for four years, plus bonuses, for Habba Mildon to serve as general counsel to Concord Partners, a company established in 2025 by the wife of Julio Herrera Velutini. Herrera Velutini, a banker who was indicted in 2022, received a pardon from President Donald Trump in January after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor campaign finance violation.

President Trump reacted angrily to the contract, calling it "not acceptable" and suggesting that Habba Mildon donate part of the money to his future presidential library or another Trump-affiliated cause. Habba Mildon has denied that her employment was related to securing the pardon, stating that such allegations are false. She also stated on social media that she was never paid to secure a pardon and never met with anyone at the White House or Department of Justice regarding a pardon.

## Disagreement on Habba Mildon's role

Sources with knowledge of Habba Mildon's contract suggested to The New York Times that she was hired to help secure the pardon, according to The Independent. Habba Mildon, however, denied any role in obtaining the presidential pardon, stating to The New York Times that "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."

## What the coverage left out

No right-rated reports covered this story. The digests from unrated outlets BizToc, Tr724, and Folha de S.Paulo did not mention the specific amount of the contract or Trump's reaction to it. Tr724 mentioned the contract was "over $50 million" and that Trump requested a portion be donated, while Folha de S.Paulo stated Habba "says her legal work had nothing to do with acquittal."

## Who covered it

Shares of the 32 covering outlets with a published leaning rating:

- Left: 34% (11)
- Centre: 32% (10)
- Right: 34% (11)

9 of 41 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-11-02T02:29:05.514Z.

**Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 19 times; 3 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-11-02T11:30:33.361Z.

## How the sides framed it

### Left

- Left-rated reports focused on President Trump's anger over the contract and his demand for a portion of the funds. Headlines and opening paragraphs frequently mentioned Trump "erupting" or being "furious" upon learning of the $50 million deal. The Independent's full report stated Trump "erupted" and "raged" to allies, suggesting Habba Mildon should donate money to his presidential library. Lawyers, Guns & Money described the contract as a "bribe" and questioned why Trump would expect tribute. The New Republic's headline stated Trump "Demands a Cut of Alina Habba’s $50 Million Pardon Deal." Joe.My.God. and Raw Story also highlighted Trump's reported anger and his demand for a share of the money, citing The New York Times. Mediaite's headline similarly focused on Trump's reported eruption over the alleged pardon deal.

### Centre

- Centre-rated reports highlighted President Trump's statement that the $50 million contract for Alina Habba Mildon was "not acceptable." Reuters, Investing.com, WTVB, RadarOnline, and Political Wire all used variations of this statement in their headlines or opening sentences. RadarOnline reported that Trump told aides and allies he was upset about the contract's size and suggested Habba Mildon give part of it to his presidential library. Political Wire noted Trump "erupted" after learning of the deal, citing The New York Times.

### Right

- Both WLTReport and VINnews reported that President Trump publicly condemned former personal lawyer Alina Habba’s multiyear $50 million contract, calling it totally obnoxious and outrageous. Each digest linked the allegation to a New York Times report and noted the contract involved the relatives of Venezuelan billionaire Julio Herrera Velutini, who received a pardon in January.
- WLTReport’s digest specified that the New York Times story detailed the $50 million agreement with the relatives of the Venezuelan billionaire, while VINnews’s digest reproduced Trump’s quote and identified the contract as multiyear. Neither digest included any response from Habba, the relatives, or additional legal analysis, and no other sources were quoted.

**Provisional coverage gap:** right. The watch is not closed, so this is not yet a settled blindspot finding.

## Factuality profile of the covering outlets

These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true.

- low: 6
- mixed: 7
- high: 17
- unknown: 10
- veryHigh: 1

## Verification scope

This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true.

## Original reporting this was written from

- [القدس العربي](https://alquds.co.uk/%D8%AA%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%85%D8%A8-%D9%8A%D9%87%D8%A7%D8%AC%D9%85-%D9%85%D8%AD%D8%A7%D9%85%D9%8A%D8%AA%D9%87-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D8%A7%D8%A8%D9%82%D8%A9-%D8%A3%D9%84%D9%8A%D9%86%D8%A7-%D8%AD%D8%A8%D9%91) — Trump's Ex-Law Is Attacking Elena with a Pill because of a $50 Million Contract in the Middle of a Debate About a Presidential Pardon.
- [realnewsnow.com](https://realnewsnow.com/president-trump-blasts-alina-habba-over-50-million-deal-with-family-of-pardoned-venezuelan-banker) — President Trump Blasts Alina Habba Over $50 Million Deal With Family of Pardoned Venezuelan Banker - Real News Now
- [The Epoch Times](https://theepochtimes.com/us/trump-calls-former-us-attorneys-50-million-contract-unacceptable-6111849) — Trump Calls Former US Attorney’s $50 Million Contract ‘Unacceptable’
- [New York Post](https://nypost.com/2026/11/01/us-news/trump-rips-alina-habbas-50m-deal-with-pardoned-venezuelan-bankers-family) — Trump rips ex-lawyer Alina Habba’s ‘obnoxious’ $50M deal with pardoned Venezuelan banker’s family
- [Palm Beach Post](https://palmbeachpost.com/story/news/trump/2026/11/01/trump-halloween-gala-golf-telerallies-plus-rebuke-of-alina-habba/92518623007) — Trump hosts Halloween bash, rips legal ally's reported $50 ...
- [Avaz.ba](https://avaz.ba/vijesti/globus/1084696/slucaj-izazvao-buru-u-vasingtonu-tramp-nazvao-odvratnim-visemilionski-ugovor-bivse-tuziteljice-aline-haba-mildon) — The Case Caused a Storm in Washington: Trump Called the Multimillion-Dollar Contract of Former Prosecutor Alina Haba Mildon "Disgusting".
- [The Hill](https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/6186814-trump-calls-habba-pay-outrageous) — Trump calls Alina Habba Mildon’s $50M deal ‘obnoxious’
- [Al Jazeera](https://aljazeera.com/news/2026/11/1/trump-slams-ex-lawyers-50m-deal-with-pardoned-bankers-family) — Trump slams ex-lawyer’s $50m deal with pardoned banker’s family
- [thedailybs.com](https://thedailybs.com/2026/11/01/trump-erupts-over-alina-habbas-50-million-deal-with-pardoned-billionaires-family-i-dont-want-her-paid) — Trump erupts over Alina Habba's $50 million deal with pardoned billionaire's family: 'I don't want her paid' - The Daily Bo Snerdley
- [[your]NEWS](https://yournews.com/2026/11/01/7247844/trump-condemns-former-attorney-alina-habbas-50-million-contract-with) — Trump Condemns Former Attorney Alina Habba’s $50 Million Contract With Family of Pardoned Venezuelan Banker
- [Alternet](https://alternet.org/habba-mildon) — 'Dip his beak': Trump's twisted demand over a $50 million insider deal
- [Internewscast](https://internewscast.com/news/trump-slams-former-attorney-alina-habba-over-outrageous-50-million-deal) — Trump Slams Former Attorney Alina Habba Over ‘Outrageous’ $50 Million Deal
- [dailymail.com](https://dailymail.com/news/article-16256539/trump-slams-attorney-alina-habba-secret-deal.html) — Trump slams 'outrageous' former attorney Alina Habba over $50m deal
- [Iraq news, the latest Iraq news by Iraqi News…](https://iraqinews.com/iraq/trump-criticizes-alina-habba-50-million-dollar-contract-pardon-controversy-2026) — Trump slams former Iraqi lawyer Alina Habba over controversial $50M deal
- [Times of India](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/trump-calls-former-lawyer-alina-habbas-50m-deal-with-family-of-pardoned-venezuelan-banker-unacceptable/articleshow/135424382.cms) — Trump calls former lawyer Alina Habba's $50m deal with family of pardoned Venezuelan banker 'unacceptable'
- [Cumhuriyet](https://cumhuriyet.com.tr/dunya/50-milyon-dolarlik-sozlesme-washington-i-karistirdi-trump-tan-eski-avukati-alina-habba-mildon-a-sert-tepki-2552183) — The $50 Million Contract Has Shaken Washington: Trump Harshly Criticized His Former Lawyer, Alina Habba Mildon.
- [المسلة](https://almasalah.com/archives/143943) — The Fall of the Iraqi Lawyer From Trump's Close throne... a Huge Financial Contract that Provokes the President.
- [regionalmedianews.com](https://regionalmedianews.com/news/national/trump-calls-50-million-contract-for-ex-lawyer-habba-mildon-not-acceptable) — Trump calls $50 million contract for ex-lawyer Habba Mildon ‘not acceptable’ - Regional Media News
- [Business Recorder](https://brecorder.com/news/40446897) — Trump calls $50 million contract for ex-lawyer Habba Mildon 'not acceptable'
- [VINnews](https://vinnews.com/2026/11/01/trump-calls-former-attorney-alina-habbas-50-million-contract-totally-obnoxious-and-outrageous) — Trump Calls Former Attorney Alina Habba’s $50 Million Contract ‘Totally Obnoxious and Outrageous’
- [Arab News](https://arabnews.com/world/trump-calls-50-million-contract-for-ex-lawyer-alina-habba-mildon-not-acceptable-3009211) — Trump calls $50 million contract for ex-lawyer Alina Habba Mildon ‘not acceptable’
- [WLTReport](https://wltreport.com/2026/10/31/president-trump-torches-alina-habba-for-totally-obnoxious-outrageous-venezuelan-deal) — President Trump TORCHES Alina Habba for “Totally Obnoxious & Outrageous” Venezuelan Deal
- [Reuters](https://reuters.com/legal/litigation/trump-calls-50-million-contract-ex-lawyer-habba-mildon-not-acceptable-2026-11-01) — Trump calls $50 million contract for ex-lawyer Habba Mildon 'not acceptable'
- [Investing.com](https://investing.com/news/economy-news/trump-calls-50-million-contract-for-exlawyer-habba-mildon-not-acceptable-4989369) — Trump calls $50 million contract for ex-lawyer Habba Mildon ’not acceptable’
- [BizToc](https://biztoc.com/x/4a18519c10617814) — Trump calls $50 million contract for ex-lawyer Habba Mildon ’not acceptable’
- [caithness-business.co.uk](https://caithness-business.co.uk/article/33863) — Alina Habba's $50 Million Contract Raises Questions in Washington
- [WTVB](https://wtvbam.com/2026/10/31/trump-calls-50-million-contract-for-ex-lawyer-habba-mildon-not-acceptable) — Trump calls $50 million contract for ex-lawyer Habba Mildon ‘not acceptable’
- [Tr724](https://tr724.com/trump-turhan-mildonun-esine-cezayi-kesti-habbanin-kazancinin-bir-bolumunu) — Trump Imposed a Penalty on Turhan Mildon's Wife; a Portion of Habba's earnings...
- [Sözcü](https://sozcu.com.tr/trump-turhan-mildon-un-esine-cezayi-kesti-p374543) — Trump Imposed a Fine on Turhan Mildon's Wife - Sözcü Newspaper
- [Folha de S.Paulo](https://redir.folha.com.br/redir/online/emcimadahora/rss091/*https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/mundo/2026/10/bilionario-venezuelano-consegue-indulto-nos-eua-apos-contratar-ex-advogada-de-trump.shtml) — Venezuelan Billionaire Has Pardon with Trump Lawyer
- [RadarOnline](https://radaronline.com/p/trump-blasted-alina-habba-her-50-million-deal-billionaire-he-later-pardoned) — Trump Blasted Former Personal Lawyer Alina Habba Over Her $50Million Deal With Billionaire He Later Pardoned
- [Lawyers, Guns & Money](https://lawyersgunsmoneyblog.com/2026/10/trump-furious-that-associate-would-take-a-50-million-bribe-without-giving-him-tribute) — Trump furious that associate would take a $50 million bribe...without giving him tribute
- [Indice Político](https://indicepolitico.com/trump-planteo-destinar-a-su-biblioteca-parte-del-contrato-de-50-mdd-de-su-exabogada-segun-nyt) — Trump Proposed to Assign to His Library Part of His Former Lawyer's 50-Mdd Contract, According to NYT
- [The Independent](https://independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-alina-habba-pardon-for-pay-contract-b3076343.html) — Trump ‘erupted’ over Alina Habba’s $50M pardon-for-pay allegations: report
- [The Independent (US)](https://the-independent.com/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-alina-habba-pardon-for-pay-contract-b3076343.html) — Trump ‘erupted’ over Alina Habba’s $50M pardon-for-pay allegations: report
- [The New Republic](https://newrepublic.com/post/217360/donald-trump-alina-habba-50-million-pardon) — Trump Demands a Cut of Alina Habba’s $50 Million Pardon Deal
- [Joe.My.God.](https://joemygod.com/2026/10/nyt-trump-demanded-cut-of-habbas-50m-deal) — NYT: Trump Demanded Cut Of Habba’s $50M Deal
- [Political Wire](https://politicalwire.com/2026/10/29/trump-erupted-after-learning-of-alina-habbas-deal) — Trump Erupted After Learning of Alina Habba’s Deal
- [Raw Story](https://rawstory.com/alina-habba-trump-2678167988) — Trump privately ‘erupted’ after Alina Habba’s payday left him ‘angered’: NYT
- [Mediaite](https://mediaite.com/politics/trump/trump-reportedly-erupted-after-learning-his-former-lawyer-scored-50-million-in-alleged-pardon-deal) — Trump Reportedly ‘Erupted’ After Learning His Former Lawyer Scored $50 Million in Alleged Pardon Deal
- [nebula.tv](https://nebula.tv/videos/legaleagle-trump-pardoned-a-billionaire-alina-habba-got-50m) — LegalEagle — Trump Pardoned a Billionaire. Alina Habba Got $50m

## Questions

**What was the value of the contract Alina Habba Mildon secured?**

Alina Habba Mildon secured a contract worth $50 million to work for the Venezuelan billionaire Velutini family. The contract was structured as $10 million per year for four years, plus bonuses, for her role as general counsel to Concord Partners.

**How did President Trump react to the contract?**

President Trump reportedly reacted angrily to the contract, calling it 'not acceptable.' He suggested that Alina Habba Mildon donate a portion of the $50 million to his future presidential library or another Trump-affiliated organization.

**Was Alina Habba Mildon's contract related to Julio Herrera Velutini's pardon?**

Sources suggested to The New York Times that Habba Mildon was hired to help secure the pardon. However, Habba Mildon has denied this, stating her employment had nothing to do with securing a pardon and that all her work was vetted and disclosed to the Department of Justice.

---

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