Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel pointed out what he described as an ethically questionable practice involving President Donald Trump’s distribution of Christmas bonuses last year. Disclosures revealed that three young women on his staff each received $45,000 payments.
Kimmel noted on his Wednesday night show that communications adviser Margo Martin, deputy director of Oval Office operations Chamberlain Harris, and presidential aide Natalie Harp were each given $45,000. He likened the gesture to giving money to a babysitter. "He gave her a wad of cash like you do a babysitter," Kimmel said, referencing Harp, who is frequently seen with the president.
President Donald Trump and aide Natalie Harp exit Marine One on the Ellipse near the White House on Aug. 16, 2026. Mandel NGAN / AFP via Getty Images
Kimmel humorously referred to the trio as "Charlie's Angels," observing that Trump also gave a bonus to a male aide, Walt Nauta, though Nauta’s bonus was $20,000, less than the women received. "Walt got $20,000, which is less than $45,000," Kimmel quipped, adding, "He doesn’t look great in a dress."
Ethics experts have raised concerns about such payments. Richard Painter, who served as White House chief ethics lawyer under President George W. Bush, told The Washington Post that government employees accepting tips is inappropriate. "If you want a job where you get tips, you shouldn’t be working for the U.S. government," Painter stated.
Kimmel sarcastically downplayed the controversy, suggesting that it was not unusual for an "80-year-old billionaire president" to give substantial bonuses to "three young attractive women in his office." He concluded by saying anyone who finds it unusual is "the weird one for even thinking that — and shame on you!"