President Donald Trump gave hefty holiday bonuses to several White House aides, including his executive assistant Natalie Harp, financial disclosures released by the Trump administration on Tuesday show.
The bonuses totaled $45,000 each and were given to Harp and two other young staffers — communications adviser Margo Martin and Deputy Director of Oval Office Operations Chamberlain Harris.
The financial disclosure forms also show that Harp, Martin and Harris each receive a $150,000 salary. The bonuses were marked as a “Cash Gift for the Holidays” on the disclosure forms.
Director of Oval Office operations Walt Nauta also received a $20,000 bonus, according to the disclosure forms. He makes $175,000 a year.
Trending
The White House said in a statement that Trump has a longstanding practice of giving Christmas gifts to people in his orbit, both while working in government and during his time in the private sector.
“The gifts at issue here have nothing to do with any of these individuals’ official government duties, and therefore are entirely permissible under relevant legal and ethical standards,” a White House official said.
Harp has come under increased scrutiny over the last few months for her position at the White House. She is known as Trump’s “human printer” and carries around a portable device to provide Trump with hard copies of flattering news articles and social media posts.
The 35-year-old was one of few staffers that accompanied Trump on a catering truck as he secretly swapped planes to fly from Turkey to the United States in July, The Washington Post reported.
There is no apparent precedent for U.S. presidents giving staff employed by the White House large cash payments.
Author
Contributor
