US president berates CNN reporter who asked about his relationship with female staffer

Reporter Question Sparks White House Fury

President Donald Trump and his aides have lashed out at CNN journalist Kristen Holmes after she asked about his relationship with White House aide Natalie Harp, an exchange that has intensified scrutiny of the aide's close ties to the president.

Holmes posed the question to Trump after Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff of Georgia told a rally that Trump "wants to build his ballroom and travel with Natalie on their apparently defenceless flying palace gifted by the Emir of Qatar." According to The Age, Trump initially responded by mocking Ossoff as "Pee-wee Herman," then spoke at length about the White House ballroom. When Holmes attempted to ask another question, Trump turned on her, saying, "You're very disrespectful ... You're fake news. You're a loud, boisterous person. Be quiet, be quiet, be quiet."

The White House's Rapid Response account went further, calling Holmes a "scumbag," a "disgraceful, humiliating embarrassment," and attacking her as a mother, as reported by The Age. CNN defended Holmes, saying she asked a "tough, relevant, and newsworthy question" and that personal attacks were beneath the office of the presidency.

Harp's Role and Relationship Under Scrutiny

Natalie Harp, who is in her mid-30s (reported as both 34 and 35), serves as executive assistant and special assistant to the president. She is a former host at One America News Network who joined Trump's orbit in 2022, and has been described as the "human printer" for printing out positive headlines and flattering posts for the president, a nickname reported by The New York Times.

Harp's relationship with Trump has drawn media attention due to her constant presence and reported devotion. Journalist Maggie Haberman, in a book co-authored with Jonathan Swan, reported that Harp left Trump adoring notes, including one that read "You are all that matters to me." Haberman has also referred to Harp as Trump's "binkie" and "comfort blanket," and has said Harp is in almost every meeting and is a conduit for information to the president. However, Haberman has also said Harp is "not beloved" by her White House colleagues, according to The Independent.

Harp's estranged brother, Preston, has described her relationship with Trump as "very unhealthy" and said she is the president's "biggest fan" with an "obsession" with presidents, as reported by The Independent and International Business Times. In a 2023 incident, CNN reported that Harp jumped into the trunk of an SUV when there was no space in Trump's motorcade, a story her brother laughed about on CNN.

Political Attacks and Defense

The scrutiny has become a partisan flashpoint. Senator Ossoff's comments, made at an August 16 rally, were the first public mention by a prominent Democrat of Harp's relationship with Trump, according to The Independent. Ossoff has doubled down on his remarks, and other Democrats have followed. Abdul El-Sayed, a Democratic Senate candidate in Michigan, told Harp on social media that Trump "needs his rest," following a Trump attack on El-Sayed. CNN reported that Harp posted in support of Trump more than 150 times on January 6, 2021, including "FIGHT FOR TRUMP!" and an altered Psalm 43:1, as reported by The Independent.

Democratic strategists have split on Ossoff's tactic. Anthony Coley said Ossoff "caught this wave at exactly the right moment," and Joel Payne credited him with questioning the president's priorities, according to The Independent. But David Axelrod called the mention of Harp "gratuitous and unnecessary."

White House officials have rallied to Harp's defense. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt called her "one of the most loyal and hardest-working aides," and a White House spokesperson said she is a "beloved" official, as reported by The Independent. Conservative commentator Scott Jennings called Ossoff a "despicable coward" who smeared a cancer survivor, and later called him a "garbage human," while also reportedly being floated as a candidate to replace Leavitt. Trump communications director Steven Cheung called Ossoff "Jon J*off" and a "cuck," and Davis Ingle called him a "cringeworthy, feminine theatre kid," according to The Independent.

Broader Context: Turkey Trip, Security Clearance, and Press Secretary Succession

Harp's prominence has been amplified by reports that she was among a small group of aides who traveled with Trump on an alternative flight from Turkey last month, after Air Force One was deemed a security risk amid Iranian threats. Harp was one of three aides who reportedly snuck off Air Force One in a catering truck, while senior officials including Secretary of State Marco Rubio flew on the at-risk plane, according to The Daily Beast and The Independent. A report from MS NOW, cited by The Independent, said Harp worked for over a year without a security clearance normally obtained by West Wing staff, and later filled forms at Trump's request.

Meanwhile, CNN reported that Trump is considering elevating Harp to press secretary as early as the end of August, amid reports that current press secretary Karoline Leavitt will step down to focus on her young children. Names floated include Harp and Scott Jennings, with Harp's pay potentially rising from $150,000 to $195,200, according to International Business Times.

Laura Loomer, a conservative activist close to Trump, has claimed that the negative stories about Harp are being leaked from inside the White House due to "professional jealousy," as reported by The Independent. Loomer said staff are bothered by loyalty and that someone must want Harp's job.

Perspectives

• White House and Trump allies: The attacks on Holmes and Ossoff are framed as defending Harp, who they describe as a loyal and hardworking aide unfairly smeared by a partisan attack. Officials and allies have called Ossoff's comments despicable and have characterized media scrutiny as driven by jealousy and political motives.

• Democratic critics: Ossoff and El-Sayed argue that Trump's relationship with Harp reflects misplaced priorities, using the issue to question Trump's focus on the presidency. Democratic strategists like Coley and Payne see this as an effective political line, while Axelrod considers it gratuitous.

• Journalists and media critics: CNN and other outlets have defended Holmes's question as newsworthy and have highlighted the White House's aggressive response as an attack on press freedom. The scrutiny of Harp's relationship is presented as legitimate reporting on a close presidential aide.