A New York Times investigation published on October 30 reveals significant discrepancies in the public presentation of Turkish businessman Turhan Mildon, including his age, his claimed proximity to U.S. President Donald Trump, and the performance of his cement operations in Venezuela.
The findings matter because Mildon, who is married to prominent New York attorney Alina Habba, has represented himself as a 29-year-old dealmaker with hundreds of millions of dollars in public contracts in the Democratic Republic of Congo and cement plants in Venezuela, leveraging alleged high-level political connections.
Official records show Mildon is 25, not 29
According to the Times, Mildon presented himself as 29 years old. However, a U.S. visa issued in Kinshasa, a Turkish passport, and United Kingdom company records all list his birth date as December 2, 2000, making him 25. Former schoolmates interviewed by the Times said they graduated in 2020 and are also 25. The Turkish outlet Patronlar Dünyası, which reported on the Times investigation, said the December 2, 2000 date matches information it had previously obtained from its own sources.
Trump circle denies knowing Mildon
A person close to President Trump told the Times that Trump does not know Mildon and would not remember him if he saw him. A photograph used to suggest closeness between the two men shows Trump entering a New Jersey golf club while Mildon and Alina Habba Mildon sit at a table in the background. The statement came from Trump's circle, not directly from the president, but it raises questions about the scope of Mildon's claimed political connections.
Alleged WhatsApp messages with Maduro disputed
A source told the Times that Mildon showed them WhatsApp messages allegedly exchanged with Venezuela's former leader Nicolás Maduro in English. People close to Maduro said he did not use WhatsApp at the time due to security concerns and does not conduct conversations in English. Mildon's spokesperson told the Times that Mildon did not correspond with Maduro via WhatsApp or any digital platform and that they did not share phone numbers. The Times said it could not independently verify the authenticity of the messages shown to its source.
Venezuela cement contract terminated over investment shortfall
Venezuelan government officials verified a document showing that Mildon's company fulfilled only 6% of the committed new capital investment during the first two years of a five-year cement agreement. The government criticized the company in June and issued a document in October terminating the contract and requesting that the facilities be vacated. Mildon's spokesperson disputes the termination, stating the company still controls the facilities and has applied for an independent audit.
Plant accumulated $5 million in debt to over 150 creditors
A document obtained by the Times shows one of the cement plants accumulated approximately $5 million in debt to more than 150 suppliers and public institutions, including unpaid invoices for amounts as small as six dollars. Some employees and suppliers interviewed by the Times reported payment delays.
It remains unclear whether the alleged WhatsApp messages between Mildon and Maduro are authentic, and whether the Venezuelan government has successfully regained control of the cement facilities.