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Trump gave $45,000 cash gifts to Natalie Harp and two other aides, public records show
BBC • • nation
Key Points:
- Four White House staffers, including longtime aide Walt Nauta and communications advisor Margo Martin, received cash gifts totaling $157,000 from President Trump, described as personal holiday gifts unrelated to their official duties.
- Federal employees are prohibited from receiving outside compensation for their government roles, but the White House maintains these gifts comply with legal and ethical standards and are given out of personal friendship.
- The recipients are considered close to Trump, with Harp and Nauta having long histories of service to him, while others like Chamberlain Harris hold official roles and appointments connected to Trump’s projects.
- Some ethics experts express concern that, despite legality, such gifts could create perceptions of conflicts of interest and undermine public trust in government integrity.
- The White House did not clarify why only four out of 95 listed staff members received gifts, leaving questions about the selection criteria unanswered.
