Trump White House Faces Internal Turmoil Amidst Aide Influence and Controversial Blunders
Sources within the White House express concern over the rising influence of aides Natalie Harp and Bill Pulte, citing their involvement in recent public relations missteps.
Sources within the White House have voiced concerns about the increasing influence of aides Natalie Harp and Bill Pulte, describing the environment as "no man's land" and attributing a recent "humiliating blunder" to their actions. The situation has led to internal friction and questions about the vetting process for those close to the former president.
One source described Pulte, 38, as potentially "a fool or if he is nefarious," highlighting a deep-seated uncertainty about his intentions and impact within the administration. Another insider noted that if outgoing Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt were still in her role, Trump's recent press ban might not have occurred. Leavitt, who has since departed, was reportedly unavailable on Friday when the ban was announced.
Harp, described as an "unstoppable" aide, has also drawn scrutiny for her fawning interactions with the former president.
The influence of Harp and Pulte has reportedly grown, with them being by the former president's side before some of his most inflammatory social media posts. This includes an incident in April when Trump shared an image depicting himself as a Christ-like figure, a move that reportedly angered members of his own party. Reports suggest Harp and Pulte were with him prior to this post.
Pulte has been observed engaging in activities that have raised eyebrows, such as debarking Air Force One last week while holding a poster board. Another instance involved Trump reviewing a printed poster board from Pulte that read "Kennedy Center DEMOLITION." These instances suggest a pattern of unconventional engagement with sensitive political messaging.
Pulte and Harp also accompanied the former president on a weekend trip to his golf resort in Bedminster, New Jersey, on August 16. The presence of these aides in close proximity to the former president during key moments and their apparent involvement in shaping his public communications have become a point of contention among White House insiders.
White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles was reportedly away on Friday, the same day Trump announced his press ban. This absence, coupled with the ongoing concerns about Harp and Pulte, suggests a period of instability and potential misjudgment in communications strategy within the former president's circle.