Billionaire's family awarded major deal to Trump aide amid pardon bid

A billionaire businessman's family provided a $50 million business deal to Alina Habba, a prominent attorney in Donald Trump's inner circle, while simultaneously pursuing a presidential pardon from the outgoing administration, multiple sources have indicated.

The arrangement occurred as Trump prepared to leave office in January 2025, a period marked by intense activity surrounding potential pardons and commutations. Habba, who has served as a key legal adviser to the former president, received the lucrative deal from the billionaire's family enterprise during the critical window when pardon petitions were being considered.

The timing and structure of the transaction have drawn scrutiny from observers concerned about potential conflicts of interest and whether such arrangements constituted improper influence over executive clemency decisions. Presidential pardons have historically been a source of controversy, particularly when significant financial transactions coincide with mercy petitions.

It remains unclear whether the billionaire ultimately received the sought pardon. The arrangement underscores ongoing questions about access and influence within Trump's final administration, particularly regarding the mechanisms through which wealthy individuals pursued executive clemency.