Trump’s ‘Comfort Blanket’ Nickname: Harp, the Striking Advisor, Surpasses Cabinet Members in Influence

Natalie Harp's Role Revealed in Trump's "Deception Operation"

White House Mobilizes Full Defense After Being Targeted by Opposition Lawmaker

With the U.S. midterm elections approaching in November, Natalie Harp (35), White House advisor regarded as one of U.S. President Donald Trump’s closest aides, is attracting substantial interest in American politics. When an opposition lawmaker publicly targeted the close relationship between Harp and President Trump, both the White House and President Trump responded directly with strong criticism. Attention has especially focused on Harp's status after it was revealed that she accompanied President Trump when he secretly switched from Air Force One to a U.S. military transport plane in Türkiye, reportedly due to possible assassination threats from Iran.

U.S. President Donald Trump (left) and Natalie Harp, White House advisor. Photo by AP Yonhap News

The controversy began at a rally for Senator Jon Ossoff in Georgia on the 16th. According to Bloomberg News and others, Senator Ossoff criticized President Trump at the time, stating, "He does not want to work." He continued, "All he wants is to build his own ballroom and travel with Natalie in a flying palace from Qatar that looks incapable of defending itself."

The 'flying palace' referenced by Ossoff refers to the Air Force One presented to the U.S. by Qatar. Previously, President Trump switched from Air Force One to another U.S. military aircraft in Türkiye as a precaution against potential assassination threats from Iran. Only a handful of the closest aides were permitted on the transport aircraft, and Harp was among those few.

While Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the highest-ranking cabinet member, and Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent, the second in line, did not travel together, key aides such as Harp, Dan Scavino, Deputy Chief of Staff at the White House, and Walt Nauta, Director, accompanied President Trump.

White House Bristles at Opposition Lawmaker's Attack...Trump Clashes with CNN Reporter

The White House responded sharply, lambasting Ossoff. White House Press Secretary Steven Cheung criticized Ossoff on X (formerly Twitter), calling him "by far the most pathetic figure in politics," and added, "Instead of disparaging hardworking people devoted to their country, he should look deep into his soul and ask himself why he has become such a miserable person who hates this country."

The controversy also developed into a clash between President Trump and the press. When a CNN reporter asked for his comments on Ossoff’s remarks at the White House, President Trump mocked Ossoff by comparing him to the famous American comedy character 'Pee-wee Herman'. When reporter Holmes continued with further questions, Trump retorted, telling the reporter to "be quiet" and calling him a "fake reporter who reports fake news," among other comments.

The official White House X account also joined the fray. Posting a video of Holmes’s question regarding Ossoff, the account criticized the reporter as "an embarrassment and disgrace to the profession he claims to represent." Furthermore, it stated, "Someday, your children will see the disgusting and inhumane questions you asked," and, "They will feel disgust and shame that their parent could be so cold-hearted and driven by vengeance."

Natalie Harp, White House Advisor. Photo by AP Yonhap News

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) analyzed that the strength of the White House’s reaction itself demonstrates how far President Trump is willing to go to protect Harp. Although Harp is not widely known outside Washington, she is reportedly a key aide with significant influence within the White House.

From 'Human Printer' to 'Gatekeeper of Power'

Harp’s close relationship with President Trump stems from personal connections. She has publicly disclosed that she received treatment for bone cancer under the ‘Right to Try’ Act, signed by President Trump in 2018, which allows the use of experimental drugs for terminally ill patients. This encounter led to her relationship with President Trump, after which she worked as a host for the pro-Trump outlet One America News (OAN) before joining the Trump advisory team.

Harp became known for printing and delivering various news articles and social network posts to President Trump on the spot using a portable printer. She reportedly carried the printer wherever the president traveled in order to relay information, earning her the nickname 'human printer.'

Recently, her role has grown beyond simply relaying information, as she is said to be involved in drafting President Trump’s posts on the social media platform Truth Social. As a principal conduit for information and messaging delivered to the president, she is increasingly viewed as a type of 'gatekeeper of power.'

Maggie Haberman of The New York Times noted in a recent MS NOW interview that Harp serves as a kind of "comfort blanket" providing President Trump with emotional reassurance—a testament to the deep trust he places in her.

A Relationship Close Enough to Raise Concern

Harp’s close proximity to President Trump has raised controversy in the past as well. Sarah Matthews, former Deputy Press Secretary during Trump’s first administration, stated on CNN that there were concerns about Harp’s excessive attachment to President Trump, even among U.S. Secret Service agents.

She claimed, "Trump’s 2024 election campaign did not give Harp a room at the (Trump-owned) Bedminster Golf Club to prevent her from staying there during the summer campaign period. So Harp found a workaround by staying in the women’s locker room throughout the summer."

Multiple U.S. media outlets have reported that Harp previously sent President Trump letters expressing sentiments such as "You are everything important to me" and "The guardian of my life."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.