Trump Gave $45,000 Cash Gifts to Close Aides, Raising Ethics Concerns

According to financial disclosures from the White House, US President Donald Trump provided cash gifts totaling tens of thousands of dollars last year to four key aides in the West Wing. These payments have sparked ethical questions, as federal employees are typically prohibited from receiving additional compensation beyond their government salaries. Each of the following aides—executive assistant Natalie Harp, communications adviser Margo Martin, and deputy director of Oval Office operations Chamberlain Harris—was awarded $45,000, labeled as 'Cash Gift for Holidays' in their disclosures. This amount represents about one-third of their annual federal salaries of $150,000, as noted in the White House's annual personnel report to Congress. Additionally, Walt Nauta, the director of Oval Office operations, received $20,000, with an annual salary of $175,000. The Washington Post initially reported on these gifts on Tuesday.