The White House has publicly criticized online personality Aaron Rupar after he posted a video and commentary targeting a young female press wrangler during President Donald Trump's departure from Ireland.
Rupar, who frequently chronicles Trump's activities online, posted on X, formerly Twitter, a clip from C-SPAN showing press wrangler Ellie Acra directing media personnel away from Air Force One. Rupar captioned the post, "another [sic] blonde Trump flunkie starts literally shoving photographers away from Trump."
White House press wranglers are responsible for managing media access to the president, ensuring adherence to schedules and designated areas. Their role is a standard function within both Republican and Democratic administrations.
The White House's official X account responded to Rupar's post, calling him "gutter trash" and a "sick freak" for his comments. The account noted that Acra was "doing her job — and doing it well." Rupar's commentary and the White House's response quickly gained traction on social media.
This incident follows a pattern of Rupar's online commentary that has drawn criticism. In recent weeks, Rupar has repeatedly posted about White House aide Natalie Harp, at times insinuating an inappropriate relationship between her and President Trump. The White House has also responded to these posts, stating that presidential staff travel with the president as part of their duties.
Rupar, in turn, suggested that the White House's responses were inciting harassment and threats against him. He stated that such interactions led to a "flood of harassing and threatening messages."
The White House's engagement with Rupar's commentary marks a direct confrontation from the official account regarding his criticisms of White House staff.