Politics · Sun Belt Post
President Donald Trump doled out gifts totaling $155,000 for the holidays to four staff members in 2025, according to personal financial disclosures from the aides published by the White House. The president gave $45,000 each to Natalie Harp, Margo Martin, and Chamberlain Harris as 'cash gift[s] for the holidays,' gifts that appear to be personal. Walt Nauta, a longtime ally of Trump's, received a $20,000 holiday gift.
The aides received these gifts in addition to their six-figure salaries. Harp, the president's executive assistant, makes $150,000 annually, while Martin and Harris, the president's communication adviser and deputy director of Oval Office operations, respectively, also earn $150,000. Nauta, the director of Oval Office operations, makes $175,000 a year.
A White House official stated that the President has a longstanding practice of giving Christmas gifts to people in his orbit, including employees and aides, both in government and in his private sector. The gifts at issue here are personal and not related to official duties, thus permissible under legal and ethical standards. Harp has faced scrutiny from Democrats, with Georgia Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff mentioning her during a campaign rally.
Trump is expected to travel to Ireland aboard a new Air Force One gifted by Qatar, marking his first foreign trip on the jet since switching planes in July amid threats from Iran. Trump also mentioned renovation projects at the White House. Martin and Nauta are close to the president, with Nauta previously being Trump's valet and later involved in a special counsel investigation.
Martin has been a key social media conduit for Trump, while Harris served under the first Trump administration and returned to Washington under the second administration. The gifts were described as personal, with some listed at the president’s Palm Beach address. Trump’s financial disclosures showed a record income of over $2.2 billion, including crypto ventures.
Another White House staffer, Gabriel Perez, faced scrutiny for making over $100,000 on Kalshi’s mention markets, leading to his unpaid leave and eventual firing.
