World · World News Bureau
Trump distributed $45,000 in cash gifts to White House aides
Documents reveal former U.S. President Donald Trump gave substantial cash gifts to multiple White House staff members during his administration. The White House characterized the payments as personal gifts and stated they were legally permissible.
LSN World News ·
Public records have disclosed that Donald Trump distributed $45,000 in cash to Natalie Harp and at least two other White House aides while serving as president. The payments were made from Trump's personal funds rather than government resources.
The White House defended the cash distributions, classifying them as personal gifts rather than official compensation or payments. Officials maintained that the transactions complied with applicable laws and regulations governing such personal distributions to staff members.
Harp, who served in the Trump administration, received a portion of the documented cash gifts. The identities and specific amounts given to other recipients have been included in the official records released.
The disclosure of these cash payments adds to ongoing scrutiny of financial arrangements made during the Trump presidency. Ethics experts and government watchdog organizations have previously raised questions about personal gift-giving practices involving sitting presidents and their staff members, though the White House has maintained that these particular distributions fell within legal boundaries.