Donald Trump gave cash gifts to White House aides

Financial disclosure forms released by the administration reveal that President Donald Trump provided significant cash holiday gifts to several White House aides. The payments totaled approximately $155,000 across four employees.

According to the disclosures, executive assistant Natalie Harp, communications adviser Margo Martin, and deputy director of Oval Office operations Chamberlain Harris each received $45,000. A fourth aide, Oval Office operations director Walt Nauta, received $20,000. For Harp, Martin, and Harris, these gifts represent roughly one-third of their $150,000 annual government salaries.

Legal and ethics experts have raised questions regarding whether these payments comply with federal statutes that prohibit the supplementation of federal employees’ salaries from outside sources. The disclosures have drawn particular attention to Natalie Harp, who serves in a close capacity to the president.