US First Lady Melania Trump has fired her friend Stephanie Winston Wolkoff amid backlash over the US$26 million ($36m) she received to help plan Donald Trump's inauguration.
The New York Times reported the sacking, saying Mr Trump was "enraged" over the huge bill.
Melania Trump's spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham said the office had "severed the gratuitous services contract with Ms Wolkoff", who she said had been employed as "a special government employee" to work on specific projects.
David Wolkoff, Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, Melania Trump and Donald Trump in 2008. Photo / AP
"We thank her for her hard work and wish her all the best," she said.
The New York Times reported two weeks ago that Wolkoff's firm WIS Media Partners spent twice as much money than was used for Barack Obama's inauguration despite drawing much fewer people.
She was reportedly fired last week.
WIS Media Partners was established as a company just weeks before the inauguration and Wolkoff was the first lady's first hire.
The pair have been friends for years, with Melania Trump attending Wolkoff's 40th birthday party in 2010 and have been regularly pictured together on the social scene.
Wolkoff defended the sky-high bill, saying she and Trump were still close and that she would continue to offer her advice in an "informal" capacity.
"I was informed by the White House counsel's office that all gratuitous volunteer contracts were ended," Wolkoff said. "I expect to remain a trusted source for advice and support on an informal basis."
This pair of photos shows a view of the crowd on the National Mall at the inaugurations of President Barack Obama, above, on Jan. 20, 2009, and President Donald Trump, below, on Jan. 20, 2017. Photo / AP
"I am proud of the work that we did to support the inauguration," she said.
Wolkoff said her firm "retained a total of US$1.62 million for all of its consulting and creative services, which was divided among our staff of 15 members (including myself)".
The New York Times said one of the subcontractors paid by Wolkoff's firm included the team used by Mark Burnett, the creator of The Apprentice.
Trump's spokeswoman said the first lady "had no involvement" with the inaugural committee and that she "had no knowledge of how funds were spent".
Wolkoff used to be an event planner for Vogue magazine and helped plan events, including the Met Gala.
