Melania Trump’s senior adviser has defended White House aide Natalie Harp as speculation increases about her relationship with the US President.

Donald Trump’s close working relationship with Harp has generated considerable attention in Washington. That relationship came under further scrutiny this week when it was revealed he had given her US$45,000 ($67,000) in cash as a Christmas gift.

Harp’s devotion to Trump has previously raised eyebrows. She is known to call Trump her “guardian and protector” and rarely leaves his side.

Reportedly dubbed “the human printer” in Washington, Harp is known for typing out Trump’s Truth Social posts and carrying a portable printer so that she can hand him information in hard copy.

Mark Beckman, a senior adviser to the US first lady, addressed the chatter during an interview with conservative host Stella Escobedo. He defended Harp and criticised media attention surrounding her relationship with the President.

“They’re all attacking this hard-working, very talented, very intelligent person in Natalie Harp,” Beckman said.

Harp accompanies Trump to most of his engagements. Photo: AAP

When Escobedo asserted that there was “nothing wrong with their relationship”, Beckman agreed, describing speculation as “absolutely ridiculous”.

“The media doesn’t know about the first family’s private life. Period,” Beckman said.

He said more attention should instead be given to Melania’s work as first lady.

“They harp on these issues of gossip rather than going ahead and covering the substantial achievements of this first lady and frankly, the President also,” Beckman said.

Harp, 35, is a special assistant and executive assistant to the President and one of the most visible members of his inner circle. She is frequently photographed near the President at the White House and during his travels.

In August, The Wall Street Journal reported that Harp was an important gatekeeper and sounding board for Trump, attending meetings in the Oval Office, Situation Room and onboard Air Force One.

Harp first came to Trump’s attention when she publicly credited his administration’s Right to Try law with helping her while she battled cancer.

She went on to speak at the 2020 Republican National Convention about her experiences, before formally joining Trump’s team.

The $67,000 “holiday gift” she received from Trump was one of three handed to White House aides – the two others were Margo Martin and Chamberlain Harris.

The gifts amounted to roughly a third of their White House salaries.

The non-partisan Campaign Legal Centre has filed a complaint with the US Office of Government Ethics about the gifts, arguing that an investigation was “clearly warranted”.

Norm Eisen, a special counsel to president Barack Obama for ethics and government reform, said the payments were a possible breach of regulation 18 USC 209, which prohibits US government executive branch employees from receiving payment beyond their salary for performing their official duties.

A White House official told the Associated Press that Trump had a history of giving gifts to people in his professional circle and that the payments were unrelated to their official duties.