Trump's Christmas gift to assistant: $45,000

 

TT

 

Published 08.33

 

 

White House assistant Natalie Harp is increasingly seen at US President Donald Trump's side. Here at the Johnson Space Center in Houston on August 28. Photo: Mark Schiefelbein/AP/TT

US President Donald Trump gave his assistant Natalie Harp and two other staffers each a personal "gift" of $45,000 last Christmas, The Washington Post reports.

In recently released accounts, the three women describe the payments as Christmas gifts. The sum corresponds to around a third of their annual salaries, according to the White House payroll.

The gifts likely violate federal law, says Trump-critical lawyer Richard Painter, former ethics advisor to President George W Bush, to The Washington Post.

- He is clearly trying to make it financially easier for them to work in government service in the White House. You can't do that.

A White House spokesman denies any wrongdoing.

Trump aide Natalie Harp has found herself increasingly in the spotlight. The 35-year-old rarely leaves the president's side and is reportedly his absolute favorite.