Politics

Trump provided cash holiday gifts to multiple White House staff members

Administration officials describe the payments to four aides as a routine personal tradition

Updated Sep 9, 2026 · 03:48 UTC2 reports

The short version

President Donald Trump gave holiday cash gifts of $45,000 each to three White House aides, alongside a $20,000 gift to a fourth official.[Associated Press · ABC News]
The recipients include executive assistant Natalie Harp, communications adviser Margo Martin, deputy director of Oval Office operations Chamberlain Harris, and director of Oval Office operations Walt Nauta.[Associated Press · ABC News]
A White House official stated the payments are permissible under legal standards and completely separate from the aides' official government responsibilities.[Associated Press · ABC News]

President Donald Trump gave holiday gifts of $45,000 each to three White House aides: Natalie Harp, Margo Martin, and Chamberlain Harris.[Associated Press · ABC News]
Trump provided a $20,000 holiday gift to Walt Nauta, the director of Oval Office operations.[Associated Press · ABC News]
A White House official stated Trump has a longstanding practice of giving holiday gifts to people in his orbit across both the private sector and government.[Associated Press · ABC News]
An administration official asserted the cash gifts are legally and ethically permissible because they are unrelated to official duties.[Associated Press · ABC News]

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.