Natalie Harp: Trump aide under intensified scrutiny

Natalie Harp, a 35-year-old former right-wing news host, has served as the president’s special assistant and executive assistant since his return to office in 2024. The aide entered the national conversation after Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff of Georgia cited her by name in a speech criticizing the president’s leadership, prompting a flurry of media coverage and a White House-driven defense of her role.

HuffPost

Investigations of a now-disabled X account revealed that Harp posted more than 150 messages on January 6, 2021, the day a mob stormed the U.S. Capitol. Her tweets repeatedly urged supporters to “FIGHT FOR TRUMP,” declared “Today DC is TRUMP COUNTRY,” and echoed the president’s claim that the 2020 election was stolen. In the weeks leading up to that day, she warned that “January 6th is coming!!” and, after the election, posted “WE LOVE YOU! WE LOVE YOU! WE LOVE YOU!” on multiple occasions. On December 14, 2020, she labeled President Joe Biden’s victory “THIS IS A COUP.”

CNN

Two sources reported that Harp worked at the White House for more than a year without completing the routine security-clearance process. She began filling out the required forms only after direct intervention by the president. A senior national-security official raised alarms about her proximity to classified material. Former President Barack Obama adviser David Axelrod warned that a senior staffer lacking clearance poses a serious issue.

HuffPost

Political science professor David B. Former Obama adviser David Axelrod’s security-clearance warning adds a bipartisan dimension to concerns about Harp’s unchecked access.

HuffPost

• “We will never give up. We will never concede!” — Natalie Harp, to the president

The Guardian

• “We all know the story of the Good Samaritan,” — Natalie Harp, to the president

The Guardian

• “She has proven to be a totally loyal sycophantic adviser and staffer for him,” — David B. Cohen, a political science professor at the University of Akron

CNN

• “Natalie Harp has a security clearance like everyone else, and she is a loyal and hardworking member of President Trump’s team.” — Karoline Leavitt, house press secretary

HuffPost

• More than 150 pro-Trump tweets posted on January 6, 2021.

CNN

• Salary for the special-assistant and executive-assistant positions: $150,000 annually.

HuffPost

• Harp’s X account is now suspended; the exact removal date and responsible party remain unknown.

CNN

Sources differ on when the X account was taken down and whether Harp or the platform initiated the removal. No official timeline has been provided, leaving the status of the account’s deletion ambiguous.

Rolling Stone

No publicly announced hearings or investigations have been scheduled regarding Harp’s security-clearance status or her past social-media activity. The issue remains a point of contention between the White House and critics who continue to request further transparency.

HuffPost