From Newsweek · · 2m
The White House vs. the guy who posts about Natalie Harp
A photo of Trump's aide in Dublin set off a White House account calling a reporter a "sick, deluded freak."
In brief
A photo of Trump's aide in Dublin set off a White House account calling a reporter a "sick, deluded freak." Natalie Harp went from a Right to Try testimonial to Trump's constant travel companion, and the White House now attacks any journalist who points at her. Originally reported by Newsweek.
A photo in Dublin
Journalist Aaron Rupar posted a picture of Trump aide Natalie Harp at a welcome function at the U.S. ambassador's residence, after the president landed in Ireland on Saturday.
“Look who made the trip to Ireland! #TravelWithNatalie”
The account fired back
The White House's Rapid Response 47 account answered within hours, saying Trump travels with staff and then going after Rupar personally, including his age.
“Aaron, on the other hand, is a sick, deluded freak (in his 40s) who sits behind a keyboard”
Rupar's one-line reply
He noted the insult came from a government account and mocked the choice of attack line. Newsweek asked the White House for comment by email.
“The taxpayer-funded White House incitement account is now attacking me for [checks notes] being in my 40s.”
Ossoff started this round
Senator Jon Ossoff named Harp in a speech saying Trump would rather travel than work, referencing the Qatari-gifted plane and the secret aircraft swap leaving Turkey in July.
“travel with Natalie on their apparently defenseless flying palace gifted by the Emir of Qatar”
The insult playbook
A White House spokesperson called Harp one of Trump's hardest working aides, then called Ossoff a "feminine theater kid" over taxes, immigration and border funding votes.
$45,000 in holiday cash
New financial disclosures showed Trump gave holiday cash gifts of $45,000 to Harp and two other aides. A White House official said they were unrelated to official duties and legally permissible.
CNN got the same treatment
After Kristen Holmes asked Trump about Ossoff's criticism, the same account called her an embarrassment to her profession and said her children would be sickened by the question.
“a disgraceful, humiliating embarrassment to her alleged profession”
From cancer patient to insider
Harp, 35, credited Trump's Right to Try law with saving her life after a Stage 2 bone cancer diagnosis. That story took her to the 2020 RNC stage and onto his campaign advisory board.
The human printer
After OAN, she joined Trump's post-presidency team and carried a portable printer to print flattering coverage for a boss who prefers paper. She is now executive assistant to the president.
The essence
Natalie Harp went from a Right to Try testimonial to Trump's constant travel companion, and the White House now attacks any journalist who points at her.
