Natalie Harp, a longtime aide to former President Donald Trump, was recently filmed in a volatile encounter with a paparazzo and exhibiting erratic driving behavior while en route to the White House. The incident, captured on video, occurred amid heightened scrutiny of her close relationship with Trump and has brought renewed attention to her role within his inner circle.
In footage obtained by the Daily Mail, Harp, 35, appears to become agitated as she is followed by a photographer. While driving her white Chevrolet SUV, she reportedly reached for her phone, filmed the photographer, and appeared to mouth an expletive as she accelerated toward a crosswalk without keeping her hands on the wheel. The incident occurred on Wednesday morning as she was on her way to the White House.
This event follows a recent surge in public attention to Harp, who was notably mocked by Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff at a rally in Georgia. Ossoff suggested Trump would prioritize his activities with Harp over his presidential duties. Following Ossoff's remarks, searches for Harp's name increased, and her past expressions of devotion to Trump, including letters from 2023 stating "you are all that matters to me," resurfaced.
The White House responded sharply to Ossoff's comments, with communications director Steven Cheung branding the senator with a derogatory term and spokesman Davis Ingle dismissing him. Trump himself reportedly nicknamed Ossoff "Pee-Wee Herman."
Despite public displays of unwavering support from Trump's inner circle, private accounts suggest a more complex picture regarding Harp's position. Sources familiar with Trump's orbit indicate that the recent focus on Harp's personal and professional life has been difficult for her. Her estranged brother, Preston Harp, described her lifelong fascination with presidents and called her relationship with Trump "very unhealthy."
White House officials have expressed concerns about Harp's security due to the increased interest in her life. "Should we put the name of every girl who works for Jon Ossoff on the internet for everyone to openly criticize? I believe there is a double standard here," one official commented.
Trump has reportedly shared with staffers that Harp possesses a unique level of devotion to him, stating that she loves him as much as his own family and would never leave his side for financial gain, unlike other aides. A White House official described her as "relentless" and "smart."
Harp herself has previously detailed her intense dedication, recounting instances of forgetting to eat and sleeping only a few hours at a time while working for Trump, signing off messages with "With all my heart, Natalie." Sources familiar with their dynamic suggest Trump is a central figure in her life, particularly after her father's death by suicide in 2020.
However, other insiders have expressed concern over Harp's behavior. One senior administration official called her "nuts," while another top insider described her actions as "obsessive" and troubling. There are also claims that some individuals publicly defending Harp are the same ones who speak negatively about her in private.
Harp's close proximity to Trump has reportedly caused friction with White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and outgoing Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, as she holds a direct line to the president that bypasses their control. This unique access, sources say, frustrates Wiles, whose authority relies on managing access to the president.
Wiles has publicly refuted any rift, stating, "Natalie is a hardworking professional who handles an extraordinarily demanding job with dedication and professionalism. She is a valued and important member of President Trump's team, and we are grateful for everything she does."
A former administration official noted that Harp's loyalty is solely to the president and that she does not adhere to conventional processes, which can be a point of contention. Despite these internal dynamics, Trump's allies, including his son Eric Trump, have vocally defended Harp, framing the criticism as sexist.
Friends and colleagues describe Harp as a private individual who does not seek public attention. Katie Miller, wife of White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Stephen Miller, defended Harp, stating, "She truly has a heart of gold and I think it's gross that people are looking into her personal life."
Sympathy has also come from women within the West Wing, who believe Harp is being targeted due to her gender. Reports of her climbing into the trunk of an SUV to stay close to Trump during a motorcade in October 2023 have been described as unfair. On that occasion, told there was no room for her, Harp insisted Trump had personally asked her to attend the court appearance.
The White House maintains that there has been nothing improper in Harp's relationship with the president, and her access to him remains unrestricted. Three years after reportedly hiding in the back of an SUV to remain in Trump's sight, she now drives her own vehicle into the West Wing parking lot.