In financial disclosures released by President Donald Trump's administration last weekend, three White House employees, including aide Natalie Harp, received "holiday cash gifts" from the President, totaling 45,000 USD.

The other two employees are Margo Martin, a 31-year-old media advisor who frequently accompanied President Trump to document his daily activities for social media, and Chamberlain Harris, a 26-year-old White House aide and Trump's secretary.

According to an annual report submitted to the US Congress, this amount represents about one-third of the 150,000 USD salary each received from their positions at the White House.

Richard Painter, a former chief ethics lawyer at the White House under President George W. Bush and a frequent critic of Trump, stated that these payments appear to violate federal law prohibiting supplemental income for government employees from outside sources.

"It is clear he is trying to financially compensate them so they feel secure in their public service at the White House. He is not permitted to do so," Painter said.

Aide Natalie Harp in the Oval Office, White House, 4/9. Photo: AFP

Aide Natalie Harp in the Oval Office, White House, 4/9. Photo: AFP

White House spokesperson Davis Ingle denied that the payments violated regulations. "The President has a long-standing tradition of giving Christmas gifts to acquaintances, including his staff and aides, whether he was working in government or in private practice," Ingle said.

The spokesperson affirmed that these gifts are completely unrelated to the individuals' official duties, and are therefore entirely legitimate under legal and ethical standards.

Walt Nauta, director of Oval Office operations, previously also declared a gift of 20,000 USD from the President. Nauta, whose salary is 175,000 USD, was among Trump's close associates evacuated from his private jet in Turkey last month.

Don Fox, former acting director of the Office of Government Ethics (OGE) under the Barack Obama administration, stated that available information is insufficient to confirm that President Trump's payments violated regulations prohibiting additional income.

However, Fox still considers these payments "concerning" because they could make aides feel indebted to President Trump. Fox added that the most expensive gift he ever received from a superior as a federal employee was only a holiday fruit basket.

Aide and media advisor Margo Martin to US President Donald Trump at the White House on 20/2. Photo: AFP

Aide and media advisor Margo Martin to US President Donald Trump at the White House on 20/2. Photo: AFP

Harp, 35 years old, first gained Trump's attention after appearing on Fox News in 2019, where she praised a law he signed in his first term that helped her overcome bone cancer. She was also invited to speak at the 2020 Republican National Convention, participated in his re-election campaign that year, and joined his team in 2022.

Harp is described as one of President Trump's closest confidantes. The blonde aide frequently appears alongside the US leader and is present for most of his schedule. Some officials revealed that the working relationship between the two is effective due to Harp's absolute loyalty to the President.