Donald Trump says payments to aides were part of "a longstanding practise of giving Christmas gifts"

Freshly published executive-branch records show President Donald Trump distributed large monetary holiday gifts to four White House assistants. Natalie Harp, Margo Martin, and Chamberlain Harris each received $45,000, and Walt Nauta received $20,000, the filings state. Speaking anonymously, a White House official characterized the payments as an extension of Trump’s long-standing custom of buying Christmas presents for people in his circle, sometimes aides, both in government and in his earlier life in business. The official added that the money was unrelated to anyone’s official duties and was legally acceptable. The Washington Post first reported the disclosures.