According to financial disclosures released by the Trump administration, President Donald Trump gave single cash gifts of US$45,000 each to his closest aide, Natalie Harp, and two other aides, Margo Martin and Chamberlain Harris. Another staff member, Director of Oval Office Operations Walt Nauta, also received a cash gift, of $20,000.
Apart from these four White House staffers, no other staff members have declared any gifts from Trump. While federal employees are usually not allowed to receive any compensation outside of their duties, the White House said that the gifts were personal in nature, which is permitted under US law.
Indeed, White House staff members play an integral role in supporting the US president, but, out of them all, it’s Natalie Harp whose name has been in the headlines lately.
Until recently, few had heard of Harp. Now, however, hers is a name on everybody's lips. She is one of the most trusted of President Donald Trump's aides, and she's also the closest.
Enjoying unprecedented access to the commander-in-chief, Harp is a ubiquitous presence in the West Wing, serving as "special assistant to the president." But she's not without her detractors.
So, who exactly is Natalie Harp, and how has she gotten so close to the president of the United States? Click on to find out.