Trump gives Natalie Harp, 2 aides $45,000 each: Why cash gifts for holidays are under scrutiny
President Donald Trump provided large cash holiday gifts to several White House aides, sparking debate over federal ethics rules regarding salary supplementation. While the White House maintains the gifts were personal and permissible, ethics experts have raised concerns about the potential violation of government compensation laws.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the tension between personal generosity and strict ethical standards governing public officials.
US President Donald Trump gave USD 45,000 (about Rs 42 lakh) in cash holiday gifts to three White House aides, including executive assistant Natalie Harp, according to newly released financial disclosures. Another senior aide received USD 20,000 (about Rs 19 lakh).The disclosures were first reported by The Washington Post, which found that the payments were listed as “cash gift for the holidays” in the aides’ annual financial disclosure forms. The USD 45,000 payments went to Harp, communications adviser Margo Martin, and deputy director of Oval Office operations Chamberlain Harris, while Oval Office operations director Walt Nauta received USD 20,000.White House defends Trump’s cash giftsHarp, Martin and Harris each earn USD 150,000 annually, while Nauta’s salary is USD 175,000, according to the White House’s salary disclosure report to Congress.A White House official said Trump has a longstanding practice of giving Christmas gifts to people in his orbit, including employees and aides,…
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