White House attacks critics as scrutiny mounts over Trump aide Natalie Harp

During a reelection campaign rally in Atlanta, Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff criticized Donald Trump for his work habits and personal circle. The 39-year-old senator stated that Trump prefers focusing on private ventures and traveling with his 35-year-old executive assistant, Natalie Harp, rather than governing. Ossoff referenced a luxury aircraft and private projects during his speech to Georgia voters.

He plays golf and trades stocks. Look, he doesn't want to do the job. He wants to build his ballroom and travel with Natalie in their apparently defenseless, flying palace given to them by the Emir of Qatar.

The remarks prompted immediate pushback from Trump and his communications team. White House spokesperson Steven Cheung denounced Ossoff on X, describing him as a political failure. During a subsequent press briefing, Trump clashed with CNN reporter Kristen Holmes after she asked about Ossoff's comments. Trump called Holmes a loud, obnoxious person, accused her network of spreading false reports, and repeatedly told her to be quiet. Following the exchange, the White House communications team posted on social media that Holmes's children would one day feel disgusted and embarrassed by her question.

Rise from television to executive assistant

Harp's connection with Trump began after she spoke publicly about her battle with bone cancer. A graduate of Point Loma Nazarene University in 2012 who earned an MBA from Liberty University in 2015, Harp appeared on Fox News in 2019 to praise the federal Right to Try law signed by Trump in 2018, which grants patients access to experimental treatments. She later spoke at the 2020 Republican National Convention in Washington.

George Bailey's father was right. All you can take with you is that which you've given away. Mr President, that makes you the richest man in the world.

After working as a television host for the conservative One America News Network, Harp joined Trump's staff in 2022. She serves as special assistant and executive assistant to the president, drawing an annual salary of $150,000.

Daily influence and administrative access

Within Trump's inner circle, Harp is known as the human printer because she carries a portable printer to supply him with physical printouts of news articles, social media reactions, and incoming messages. Harp also drafts and publishes Trump's social media posts, maintaining direct control over the materials the president reads throughout the day. Outgoing White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt defended Harp's performance and standing.

Harp is one of the most loyal and hardest-working aides on President Trump's team.

Harp's access has previously caused internal friction among senior staff. In October 2023, after finding no remaining seat in the motorcade leaving Trump Tower, Harp rode inside the trunk of an SUV to attend a court hearing with Trump in New York. On 8 July 2026, following security concerns in Turkey after the NATO summit, Harp accompanied Trump on a secret military aircraft departing Ankara, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the Treasury Secretary, and press personnel remained aboard Air Force One. In personal correspondence to Trump following a trip to Scotland, Harp expressed concern about being an embarrassment on the golf course, noted that she had forgotten to eat and sleep, and closed the letter with the words, "With all my heart, Natalie."