# Trump holiday cash gifts to White House aides > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/trump-holiday-cash-gifts-to-white-house-aides > Updated: 2026-09-12T14:40:35.000Z. Sources: 114. Developments: 2. Financial disclosures have revealed that President Donald Trump provided significant cash holiday gifts to several White House aides, totaling approximately $155,000 across four employees. According to the records, Natalie Harp, Margo Martin, and Chamberlain Harris each received $45,000, which represents roughly one-third of their $150,000 annual salaries. Walt Nauta, the director of Oval Office operations, received a $20,000 gift. The payments were labeled as ‘Cash Gift for Holidays.’ Legal and ethics experts have raised questions regarding whether these supplemental payments comply with federal statutes that prohibit government employees from receiving compensation beyond their official salaries. The White House has defended the transactions, stating they are permissible because they are unrelated to official government duties and part of a longstanding tradition of giving gifts to those in the President’s personal orbit. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-12: Donald Trump gave cash gifts to White House aides Financial disclosures show President Donald Trump gave approximately $155,000 in cash holiday gifts to four White House aides, prompting scrutiny from ethics experts regarding federal compensation rules. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/donald-trump-gave-cash-gifts-to-white-house-aides ### 2026-09-09: Donald Trump gave $45,000 holiday cash gifts to White House aides Financial disclosures show Donald Trump gave $45,000 holiday cash gifts to White House aides Natalie Harp, Margo Martin, and Chamberlain Harris, sparking debate over federal ethics rules. 111 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/donald-trump-gave-large-holiday-gifts-to-white-house-aides --- Cite as: Trump holiday cash gifts to White House aides. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/trump-holiday-cash-gifts-to-white-house-aides