A new annual report to Congress has revealed the salary structure of President Donald Trump’s White House staff, offering a rare glimpse into the inner workings of the current administration. Among the highest-paid aides are some familiar names from the Trump orbit, including White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, Homeland Security Adviser Stephen Miller, and Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. Each of these high-profile aides earns an annual salary of \$195,200—more than triple the average median wage in the United States. Their compensation reflects the seniority and influence they wield within the Trump White House.

Yet despite their visibility, none of these figures holds the top-paying position in the White House. That distinction belongs to Jacalynne Klopp, a senior adviser who earns \$225,700 annually. Klopp is a relatively unknown figure in Trump-world, with little public exposure or media coverage. However, public records suggest that she previously worked in program management for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), indicating her expertise in government operations and national security. Her elevated salary underscores the importance of her advisory role, though much about her portfolio and responsibilities remains under the radar.

Following Klopp in the pay rankings is associate counsel Edgar Mkrtchian, who takes home \$203,645 a year. Mkrtchian is a former Commerce Department employee and now serves as one of Trump’s top legal advisers within the White House. His role likely includes navigating the complex legal challenges facing the administration, many of which revolve around executive authority, regulatory changes, and ongoing investigations.

The report catalogued salaries for roughly 400 White House employees, ranging from senior advisers and legal counsel to speechwriters and digital campaign staff. Speechwriters earn about \$110,000 annually, reflecting their pivotal role in shaping the president’s messaging. Meanwhile, the digital campaign manager, a crucial player in the president’s online presence, makes significantly less, at \$74,500 a year. These figures highlight the wide pay disparity within the White House workforce, depending on seniority, specialization, and political influence.

Interestingly, the report did not include President Trump’s own salary. By law, the U.S. president earns a base salary of \$400,000 per year. In addition, the president receives a \$50,000 expense allowance, a \$100,000 travel account, a \$19,000 entertainment budget, and a one-time allowance of \$100,000 for residential improvements at the White House. These statutory figures remain unchanged, though they were not part of the salary disclosure report submitted to Congress.

There were also some notable absences in the report. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, for example, was not listed among the White House’s salaried employees. Rubio, who took on the additional role of National Security Adviser following the resignation of Mike Walz during the “Signal-gate” scandal, receives his compensation from the Department of State, which he now leads. Similarly, David Sacks, Trump’s AI and Crypto Czar and a billionaire tech investor, does not draw a government salary, reportedly declining payment for his role. Steve Witkoff, a real estate developer turned Special Envoy to the Middle East, is likewise unpaid by the White House, instead receiving his salary from the State Department.

The release of the White House salary report comes at a politically charged moment, as Congress debates Trump’s signature legislative package. Following intense negotiation sessions in both the Senate and the House, the legislation is set for a decisive vote. Supporters argue that the bill represents a bold effort to revitalize the economy and promote American innovation. However, critics point to an analysis from the Yale Budget Lab, which found that the bill would significantly disadvantage low-income Americans. According to the analysis, major cuts to social safety net programs like Medicaid and SNAP would disproportionately hurt the working poor, while tax cuts embedded in the legislation would benefit higher-income households.

The salary revelations provide a window into the administration’s inner circle and raise questions about the values guiding Trump’s second-term policy agenda. On the one hand, Trump has surrounded himself with seasoned political operatives, legal experts, and strategic advisers, some of whom have served in prior Republican administrations or the private sector. On the other hand, the administration’s budget proposals seem to favor wealthier Americans while proposing cuts to programs that serve the most vulnerable.

For many observers, the report highlights the dual nature of Trump’s presidency: an administration driven by powerful, well-compensated insiders, while pursuing economic policies that critics argue favor the privileged few. As the legislative debate unfolds, attention will remain fixed on the White House—not only for its political maneuvering but also for the team of advisers and strategists who help shape the president’s domestic and foreign agenda.

Ultimately, the salary disclosures reveal as much about the individuals working in Trump’s White House as they do about the administration’s broader priorities. While some staffers like Susie Wiles, Stephen Miller, and Karoline Leavitt are household names among political observers, others like Jacalynne Klopp work quietly behind the scenes, influencing key decisions with little public recognition. As Trump presses forward with his policy ambitions, the interplay between these high-profile and low-profile aides will continue to shape the contours of his presidency.