A Sudden Spotlight
Natalie Harp, a relatively low-profile but highly trusted aide to US President Donald Trump, has become the center of a political controversy that has brought her unusual role within the White House under scrutiny. The controversy began when Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff of Georgia questioned why Harp was among the small group of aides who accompanied Trump during a security scare in Turkey, when the president was quietly moved off Air Force One. In a speech that has since gone viral, Ossoff attacked Trump's "travel with Natalie on their apparently defenceless flying palace gifted by the Emir of Qatar."
The White House reacted angrily to the remarks. When CNN reporter Kristen Holmes asked about Ossoff's comments, the White House's rapid response team called her question a "cheap shot" and "disgusting and inhumane." Trump himself responded by calling Ossoff a "Pee-Wee Herman lookalike." Some political analysts believe Ossoff's comments were intended to draw attention to himself and boost his profile.
From Cancer Survivor to White House Insider
Harp, 35, has followed an unorthodox path to the White House. A California native, she graduated from Point Loma Nazarene University in 2012 and earned an MBA from Liberty University in 2015. She was working as an entrepreneur when a medical error in 2015 left her with serious health complications, and she became an outspoken critic of the US healthcare system.
In June 2019, she appeared on Fox & Friends and credited Trump's Right to Try law with helping her access treatment for stage II bone cancer. The Right to Try law allows terminally ill patients to access experimental treatments that have passed only Phase 1 safety testing, without needing FDA approval. In a 2019 LinkedIn post titled "I'm Living Proof – the Party of Healthcare is Trump's," she wrote that Democrats focused on "dying with dignity" while Trump's healthcare was a "fight." At a Washington conference, she said of Trump: "He gave up his quality of life so we could live and work and fight with dignity - because he believes in survival of the fighters, not the fittest."
Her story caught the attention of Fox News, and Trump himself praised her, saying she "lit up the television screen like very few people I have ever seen do it." In 2020, she spoke at the Republican National Convention, telling Trump: "When I failed the chemotherapies that were on the market, no-one wanted me in their clinical trials. They didn't give me the right to try experimental treatments, Mr President. You did, and without you, I'd have died waiting for them to be approved. I wouldn't be alive today if it wasn't for you."
From OAN Host to 'Human Printer'
After Trump's loss in the 2020 election, Harp became a host at One America News Network, where she was known as a ferocious defender of Trump and promoted false claims that the election was stolen. She left the network in 2022 to join Trump's next presidential campaign.
In the White House, Harp holds the official title of executive assistant to the president, a position that typically involves logistics, scheduling, and communications management. But she has given the role a much higher profile than her predecessors. She is often called the "human printer" because she carries a portable printer to provide Trump with hard copies of articles and posts. She helps manage content for Trump's Truth Social account, presenting material for his approval and publishing posts on his behalf. According to an anonymous source familiar with White House operations, she controls what information Trump receives.
The White House has described Harp as a "trusted and valued" member of the team. Former Trump physician Ronny Jackson said of her: "She keeps everybody in a really good mood, and most importantly, she keeps the president in a really good mood."
January 6 Tweets Reveal Zealous Support
A CNN review of Harp's now-removed X account found that she posted more than 150 tweets on January 6, 2021, urging Republicans to "FIGHT FOR TRUMP" as he began his speech near the White House. She echoed the president's claims that the election was stolen and amplified rhetoric from his allies.
At the time, Harp was 29 and working as a host for One America News Network. Her Twitter bio described her as a member of a Trump "advisory board." As crowds gathered in Washington, she shared comments from Trump's family members declaring, "This movement will never, ever die!" and "This fight has only just begun." She described the demonstrators as "patriots" and wrote, "today we STOP THE STEAL!"
She promoted Rudy Giuliani's call for "trial by combat" — his lawyers later said the phrase was "hyperbolic" and not a call for violence. She live-tweeted Trump's speech, including his statement: "We will never give up. We will never concede!" After a pro-Trump mob entered the US Capitol, she shared messages claiming that those involved were "not Trump supporters" and circulated false claims about Antifa. She amplified Giuliani's statements about having "a few more options" and "how we can take advantage of those options."
After the House rejected the Arizona objection, Harp tweeted: "America may not be America anymore. But God's still God. Don't stop believing!!" She praised lawmakers who challenged the election results, including Rep. Jody Hice, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, Sen. Josh Hawley, and six senators who voted to sustain objections. She shared Trump's message that "our incredible journey is only just beginning" and added, "We love you, President @realDonaldTrump!" Weeks before January 6, she had posted: "We will never give up – for TRUTH is on our side. January 6th is coming!!."
Harp's tweets date back to at least 2016, and she tweeted Bible verses defending Trump on the day he was impeached in 2019. The Daily Beast published two letters reportedly written by Harp expressing loyalty to Trump.
David B. Cohen, a political science professor at the University of Akron who studies the American presidency, called Harp "a totally loyal sycophantic adviser and staffer for him." He said, "Trump likes that, he doesn't like to be questioned. He likes to be revered, and she clearly does that."
A Family's Concern
Harp's estranged brother, Preston Harp, has described her relationship with Trump as "very unhealthy." He told India Today that he believes Harp sees Trump as a father figure because Trump embodies American exceptionalism. Preston called Trump a "national embarrassment" and said he did not understand why his sister would work for him.
A 'Comfort Blanket' in the Inner Circle
Harp was among the handful of people who accompanied Trump when he was moved during the security scare in Turkey, along with Walt Nauta and Dan Scavino. Maggie Haberman, a reporter who has covered Trump extensively, has called Harp his "binky" and "comfort blanket." Haberman and Jonathan Swan also reported that Harp wrote "You are all that matters to me" in a letter to Trump.
Harp's exact salary has been reported as $150,000 per year, according to The Guardian. A later Washington Post report questioned whether her cancer treatment could actually be attributed to the Right to Try law, with experts disputing the timeline.
Perspectives
Senator Jon Ossoff (D-Georgia): Ossoff has criticized Trump's decision to bring Harp on a sensitive security operation, suggesting the president prioritizes personal comfort over his duties. He said Trump "doesn't want to do the job. He wants to build his ballroom and travel with Natalie."
The White House: The Trump administration has dismissed Ossoff's remarks as a "cheap shot" and defended Harp as a "trusted and valued" aide. Trump himself mocked Ossoff's appearance and defended his actions.
Natalie Harp's brother, Preston Harp: He has described his sister's relationship with Trump as "very unhealthy" and expressed bewilderment at her loyalty, calling Trump a "national embarrassment."
Political analyst David B. Cohen: The University of Akron professor has characterized Harp as a "totally loyal sycophantic adviser" who thrives in an environment where Trump "likes to be revered."