It has been revealed that U.S. President Donald Trump gave year-end cash gifts of 45,000 dollars each, equivalent to about 60 million won, to three of his closest female aides.
According to the annual public official financial disclosure reports submitted by the White House, aides Natalie Harp, Chamberlain Harris, and Margo Martin reported receiving cash gifts paid out of President Trump's personal funds.
The total amount received by the three individuals reaches 180 million won in Korean currency, a massive sum equivalent to 30 percent of their 150,000 dollar annual salary paid from taxpayer money, which is about 200 million won.
These individuals are core figures who assist President Trump at the closest range.
Special Assistant Harp was nicknamed the human printer and even the security blanket because she stood by the president's side to print out and deliver news articles and social media posts.
Deputy Assistant Harris serves as the deputy director of Oval Office operations and secretary, and previously faced controversy over her qualifications when she was appointed as a member of the Commission of Fine Arts by Trump.
Communications aide Margo Martin is Trump's communication aide who accompanies him on various schedules to film and post videos.
Recently in the United States, President Trump's approval ratings have continued to decline amid growing cost-of-living burdens such as rising oil prices.
With public frustration mounting due to soaring gas prices and living cost burdens, public opinion has turned even colder following the revelation that he handed out performance-bonus-style cash envelopes worth tens of millions of won to his closest aides.
As the controversy spread, the White House explained, "It is merely a Christmas gift tradition that the president has maintained since his days in the private sector," adding, "It is a personal fund payment unrelated to official government duties and poses no ethical issues."
Reported by Lee Hyeon-yeong | Video by Kim Na-on | Graphics by Lee Jeong-ju | Produced by SBS Digital News
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