Disclosure shows Trump gave aide Natalie Harp a $45,000 holiday cash gift
A newly released financial disclosure shows that US President Donald Trump gave his White House aide Natalie Harp a $45,000 cash gift around the holidays. Federal employees are generally barred from receiving compensation beyond their government salaries.
A newly disclosed financial filing reveals that US President Donald Trump gave his White House aide Natalie Harp a cash gift of $45,000 around the holiday season.
The gift came to light through an annual financial disclosure that federal officials and White House staff are required to file, intended to provide transparency about their income and assets.
Questions over federal rules
A personal cash gift of this size from the president to a member of his staff raises questions, since federal employees are generally prohibited from receiving compensation or other financial benefits beyond their official government salary. This restriction exists to prevent improper influence or favoritism within public service.
Natalie Harp serves as a member of Trump's team and works as an aide at the White House. The amount listed in the disclosure is notable when compared with typical government salaries, which is why the filing has drawn media attention.
No detailed public explanation has yet been provided about the specific circumstances of the gift or how such a payment aligns with federal restrictions on additional compensation for government employees. Whether the gift complies with existing rules remains an open question and could prompt further scrutiny from ethics oversight bodies.
