A bitter feud between two Trump allies has erupted inside the White House. Alina Habba Mildon and Richard Grenell are locked in a dispute that has stunned even longtime observers.
The conflict centers on competing claims over Venezuela policy and the influence that comes with it. Both figures have spent years building their reputations within Trump’s inner circle.
Mildon, a lawyer who gained prominence defending Trump in court, has pushed for a harder line on Venezuela. Grenell, a former acting intelligence chief and ambassador, has argued for a different approach.
The disagreement began as a policy debate but quickly turned personal. Aides describe shouting matches and efforts to undercut each other in front of the president.
The two are competing for a share of the political spoils tied to Venezuela’s future. Sanctions, oil licenses, and reconstruction contracts have made the issue valuable.
Several Republican donors with interests in the region have taken sides. Their involvement has raised the stakes and complicated any attempt at a truce.
Trump has so far avoided choosing between the two. Advisers say he tolerates the conflict because it keeps both loyal to him.
The feud shows how Trump-era politics blends personal loyalty with geopolitical strategy. It also highlights the unusual influence of informal advisers.
Neither Mildon nor Grenell has commented publicly on the dispute. Their representatives did not respond to requests for comment.
It remains unclear whether the president will intervene. For now, the two remain in the administration, fighting for the upper hand.
