Donald Trump offered $135,000 in cash to some White House advisers, sparking controversy over the legality of the payments

American President Donald Trump gave three close female advisers at the White House cash gifts totaling $135,000, according to financial disclosures published by the administration last week and reviewed by the Washington Post and Politico. The payments were reported as “holiday cash gifts,” and each of the three women received $45,000.

The recipients are 35-year-old Natalie Harp, 31-year-old Margo Martin, and 26-year-old Chamberlain Harris. The amounts represent approximately 30% of each woman’s annual salary of $150,000. The financial documents identify Donald Trump as the source of the money.

The payments have drawn the attention of ethics experts because federal law prohibits additional payments to public employees. The specialists cited by the American press said they could not recall public cases in which a president had given comparable sums to White House employees.

According to the Washington Post, Trump also gave $20,000 to Walt Nauta, the director of operations of the Oval Office, who has an annual salary of $175,000. Natalie Harp has recently been at the center of speculation about her relationship with the president, while Margo Martin frequently accompanies him during recordings for social media.