
US President Donald Trump has given $45,000 in cash to three of his White House aides, according to recently released financial statements.
Among them is Natalie Harp, one of Trump's closest aides. She and two other aides, Chamberlain Harris and Margo Martin, declared the amount as a " holiday cash gift " on their financial documents. All three earn an annual salary of about $150,000 in the US administration.
But former White House ethics adviser Richard Painter criticized the decision. “ A White House employee is not a Fifth Avenue doorman ,” he wrote in X, referring to legal restrictions on overtime payments to federal employees.
Harp also helps Trump with his posts on Truth Social, typing out what the president dictates to her. Because of her constant presence with Trump, some of the president's supporters have nicknamed her the "human printer," as she constantly brings him information, social media material, and messages that may interest the president.
Her name became even more well-known recently after Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff mentioned her during a speech critical of Trump.
According to him, he is having a romantic affair with Trump.
Another longtime aide to the president, Walt Nauta, also said he received a holiday gift from Trump. In his financial filings, Nauta declared the amount to be $20,000. Nauta had previously been charged in the case related to Trump's handling of classified documents, but the case against him was later dismissed.