Natalie Harp, an executive assistant to President Donald Trump, has become the focal point of a political dispute following a report detailing an unusual trip she allegedly took and subsequent remarks by Georgia Democrat Jon Ossoff.
According to a CNN report, Harp once traveled in the trunk of an SUV to accompany Trump to a New York City courtroom in October 2023. The report, citing anonymous sources, described the incident as occurring after a dispute with other staffers who stated there was no room for her in the vehicle. One advisor told CNN that Trump values Harp's "100 percent commitment and loyalty," adding that "She doesn't question, doesn't second guess."
The White House has strongly criticized Ossoff, who referred to Harp during a rally for his Senate reelection campaign. Ossoff suggested that Trump "wants to build his ballroom and travel with Natalie on their apparently defenseless flying palace gifted by the emir of Qatar." White House spokesperson Davis Ingle responded by calling Ossoff's character and voting record "awful," and defended Harp as "one of the most loyal and hardest working aides on President Trump's team."
Communications Director Steven Cheung issued a heated statement calling Ossoff a "cuck loser" and a "radical, extremist Dumocrat." Trump himself characterized Ossoff as a "Pee-wee Herman lookalike" and stated, "we're fixing a White House that hasn't been taken care of" in response to the "build the ballroom" comment.
In an interview with MS Now, Ossoff explained that he mentioned Harp because he views her as one of Trump's "enablers," suggesting that senior aides do not provide Trump with necessary feedback but rather with what he wants to hear.
Administration officials described Ossoff's remarks as a "cheap shot," expressing concern that such statements could upset First Lady Melania Trump, who reportedly dislikes "these types of things." A person close to the White House indicated that the President "does get furious" about what he perceives as personal attacks.
Harp has been a close aide to Trump for years and is known for carrying bundles of news articles for him, earning her the nickname "human printer." She has been seen accompanying Trump on various trips, including one where Israeli intelligence had warned of an impending Iranian attack. Harp is also reportedly involved in taking dictation for Trump's Truth Social posts, which have announced significant decisions regarding international affairs.
Sources have described Harp as Trump's "connective tissue," with some suggesting she has more access than his chief of staff. In 2024, Harp wrote in a letter to Trump published by The New York Times, "You're all that matters to me."
Natalie Harp's brother, Preston Harp, who has moved to Nicaragua, has described his sister's relationship with Trump as "very unhealthy." He told The Daily Mail that he was unaware of his sister's employment by Trump until a friend brought it to his attention, causing him "cognitive dissonance."