Trump Gave Aides Large Cash Holiday Gifts

President Donald Trump provided substantial cash gifts to four White House aides last Christmas, with three receiving $45,000 each and one receiving $20,000, according to newly released financial disclosure statements. Executive assistant Natalie Harp, communications adviser Margo Martin, and deputy director of Oval Office operations Chamberlain Harris each reported receiving a $45,000 cash gift for the holidays from Trump. Walt Nauta, the director of Oval Office operations, reported receiving $20,000. The total value of the four payments was $155,000. The aides receiving the larger sums each earn an annual salary of $150,000, making the gifts equivalent to approximately 30% of their yearly government pay. Nauta earns $175,000 annually. The White House stated that Trump has a long-standing practice of giving Christmas gifts to individuals in his orbit, including employees and aides, both during his time in government and in the private sector. An official emphasized that these payments were unrelated to the recipients' official government duties and were therefore permissible under relevant legal and ethical standards.