Natalie Harp's Access to Trump Draws Scrutiny After Joining Secret Turkey Flight With Select Aides
Updated
Updated · Forbes · Aug 17
Natalie Harp's Access to Trump Draws Scrutiny After Joining Secret Turkey Flight With Select Aides
3 articles · Updated · Forbes · Aug 17
Summary
Natalie Harp’s role around President Donald Trump is facing fresh scrutiny after reports she was among the small group of aides who left Turkey with him on a separate secure aircraft last month.
The renewed focus centers on Harp’s unusual proximity to Trump: the 35-year-old executive assistant is frequently at his side, was dubbed the campaign’s “human printer,” and is said to help shape the information and posts reaching him.
That access has become a political flashpoint after Sen. Jon Ossoff mocked Trump over traveling with Harp on the Qatar-gifted Air Force One, prompting Trump and White House spokesman Steven Cheung to lash back.
The Turkey episode involved Trump, Harp, Dan Scavino, Walt Nauta and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth switching planes amid an alleged Iranian threat, while reporters and other Cabinet officials stayed on the decoy jet.
The latest questions build on earlier reports that some Trump allies worry Harp’s control over news flow and social media gives her outsized influence inside the White House.