Trump gave $45,000 to Natalie Harp and other White House aides as holiday gifts | Natalie Harp
US politics | The Guardian — 2026-09-08 23:20:00 — www.theguardian.com
Trump’s Holiday Cash Gifts to White House Aides Spotlighted in New Financial Disclosures
Donald Trump’s practice of giving large holiday gifts to White House aides has come under renewed scrutiny following the release of new financial disclosures by the administration. According to the filings, Trump gave $45,000 each to executive assistant Natalie Harp, communications adviser Margo Martin, and deputy director of Oval Office operations Chamberlain Harris. Walt Nauta, director of Oval Office operations, received a $20,000 gift.
A White House official told the Associated Press that Trump “has a longstanding practice of giving Christmas gifts to people in his orbit, including at times employees and aides, both in government and in his time in the private sector.” The official emphasized that the cash gifts were not related to the recipients’ official government duties and were “entirely permissible under relevant legal and ethical standards.” However, the official did not clarify whether other staffers received similar gifts.
The gifts were reported in the aides’ annual financial disclosure forms, which were published by the administration last week. According to the White House’s salary disclosure report to Congress, Harp, Martin, and Harris each earn $150,000 annually, while Nauta is paid $175,000 a year.
Background on Recipients and Context
Natalie Harp is a constant presence by Trump’s side, often carrying a portable printer to provide him with favorable media coverage and social media posts, as Trump prefers reading important information on paper. Margo Martin has worked for Trump since his first term, assisting with media operations and returning to the White House after Trump’s 2024 victory. Chamberlain Harris was appointed by Trump earlier this year to the US Commission of Fine Arts, which oversees the White House ballroom project.
Walt Nauta, who previously served as a valet to Trump, was charged in 2023 with conspiring with Trump to obstruct an FBI investigation into classified documents taken from the White House. The charges were dismissed in 2024.
Legal and Ethical Considerations
The administration maintains that the gifts are permissible under legal and ethical standards, as they are not tied to official duties. The disclosures were first reported by The Washington Post and have raised questions about transparency and the appropriateness of such sizable gifts within the highest levels of government.
Conclusion
Trump’s reported practice of giving substantial holiday cash gifts to close aides, as documented in official disclosures, highlights ongoing questions about ethics and transparency in his administration. While a White House official defended the gifts as longstanding and permissible, the lack of clarity on whether other staffers received similar treatment and the context of the recipients’ roles underscore the need for continued scrutiny of financial practices in government.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/sep/09/trump-gift-45000-natalie-harp-white-house-aides