A former White House insider has defended Donald Trump's aide Natalie Harp against what she described as "creepy" attacks, attributing Harp's frequent presence with the former president to her professional duties.
Abigail Jackson, who recently resigned as deputy to outgoing White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, stated that Harp spends "a lot" of time with Trump because "that's the JOB."
"Women shouldn’t have to worry about creeps like Ossoff attacking them because they’re professionally successful," Jackson wrote on X, formerly Twitter. "If you’re a female staffer working at a senior level you’re going to be around your boss. A lot. You’re going to travel with them and staff them."
Harp, 35, has been a close aide to Trump for years and is known for carrying numerous news articles for him to read, earning her the nickname "human printer."
The scrutiny intensified following comments made by Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff at a rally in Georgia. Ossoff characterized Trump as someone who "doesn't want to do the job" and suggested he "wants to build his ballroom and travel with Natalie on their apparently defenseless flying palace gifted by the emir of Qatar."
Jackson, who has been tipped for a potential White House run in 2028, pushed back against Ossoff's remarks.
Incident on Air Force One
Trump's relationship with Harp recently came into focus after he reportedly prioritized her safety over cabinet secretaries during an Iranian assassination threat. Following a NATO summit in Turkey last month, Israeli intelligence warned of a potential Iranian attack on Air Force One. Harp was among a small group of aides, including former aide Dan Scavino, who switched planes with Trump. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent remained on the original aircraft with other journalists.
White House Response to Criticism
The White House press apparatus has reportedly reacted strongly to criticism regarding Harp. In an Oval Office interaction on Monday, Trump angrily shouted "quiet" at a female CNN reporter who inquired about his relationship with Harp.
When CNN's Kristen Holmes asked for Trump's response to Ossoff's speech, Trump reportedly called the senator a "Pee-wee Herman lookalike." Holmes' attempt to ask a follow-up question about South Korea before Trump had finished speaking led to him repeatedly telling her to be quiet, calling her "loud, boisterous" and "fake news."
Outgoing White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt was observed to be visibly upset during the exchange. The official White House social media account and affiliated accounts subsequently issued personal attacks against Holmes, labeling her question "disgusting and inhumane" and calling her "a disgraceful, humiliating embarrassment to her alleged profession."
Holmes, a Senior White House Correspondent for CNN with over 14 years at the network, has been contacted for comment by the Daily Mail.
Harp's Role and Influence
Harp is reportedly involved in taking dictation for Trump's Truth Social posts, which often announce significant decisions, including military actions or trade tariffs. She has also been noted for her close proximity to Trump during various events, including once running behind his golf cart in Scotland to provide him with news updates.
Sources have described Harp as Trump's "connective tissue," suggesting she possesses a level of access comparable to, or exceeding, that of his chief of staff, Susie Wiles. Harp's dedication was publicly expressed in a 2024 letter to Trump published by The New York Times, in which she wrote, "You're all that matters to me."
