Trump's ex-lawyer Alina Habba loses massive contract days after president blasts 'outrageous' deal

Concord Partners, a Florida-based company founded by Isabela Herrera, daughter of Venezuelan banker Julio Herrera Velutini, terminated Habba Mildon's contract after President Donald Trump urged the Herrera family to stop paying her. A source familiar with the matter confirmed the termination to Fox News Digital.

The company cited a 'failure to perform duties' in a Nov. 4 termination letter obtained by The New York Times. Habba Mildon had already received about $14.5 million, including an $8 million signing bonus and $6.5 million in additional payments.

Trump's criticism

The firing came just days after Trump publicly blasted Habba Mildon's $50 million arrangement as excessive. 'I thought it was terrible,' Trump told reporters at Mar-a-Lago on Oct. 31. 'I told her, and I said, 'I don't want her paid.' He called the arrangement 'totally obnoxious and outrageous' and 'not acceptable.'

Pardon connection

Trump pardoned Venezuelan banker Julio Herrera Velutini on Jan. 15, 2026, just two weeks after Habba Mildon began working for the company founded by his daughter. Herrera faced federal bribery charges tied to an alleged scheme involving Puerto Rico's governor and struck a plea deal accepting a misdemeanor campaign finance violation in August 2025.

Habba Mildon has denied playing any role in securing Herrera Velutini's pardon. 'The Fake News still seems very confused by this so let me be even more clear: I was never paid to secure a pardon. I never met with anyone at the White House or DOJ about a pardon,' she wrote on X on Oct. 21.

Background details

Habba Mildon signed the agreement with Concord Partners in October 2025 while serving as acting U.S. attorney for New Jersey. She began working for the company on Jan. 1, 2026, after becoming a senior adviser to Attorney General Pam Bondi. Fox News Digital reached out to Habba Mildon and the White House for comment.