As Donald Trump prepares for a potential return to the presidency, Natalie Harp has emerged as a pivotal but controversial figure in his inner circle. At just 33, the former far-right cable host embodies Trump’s preference for surrounding himself with fiercely loyal aides who reinforce his instincts and impulses. Her unwavering dedication to Trump has earned her a place of unique influence, often acting as both confidant and gatekeeper.
Harp, however, has taken things to an entirely new level.
Harp’s devotion is evident in her actions and personal expressions of loyalty. She accompanies Trump almost everywhere, even running beside his golf cart in Scotland to deliver favorable media reports. Her role will likely extend beyond symbolic gestures and she will likely have a desk strategically placed outside the Oval Office, ensuring she has unparalleled access to the president.
The New York Times writes that little known beyond Mr. Trump’s immediate orbit, Ms. Harp is now poised to play a potentially influential role in his White House, sitting right outside the Oval Office and acting as the conduit for a largely unsupervised flow of information to and from the president and helping him with his social media feed.
She has no official title, but during the campaign, colleagues referred to her as the “human printer” because she followed Mr. Trump around with a portable printer and a battery pack to charge it, so she could hand him information in hard copy, as he prefers.
In recent weeks, people with knowledge of her performance say, she has been more willing to operate within the transition team’s chain of command. Still, her role over most of the past three years speaks to Mr. Trump’s desire to maintain open channels to a wide assortment of people and unvetted sources of information. And it underscores his tendency to surround himself with people who tell him what he wants to hear. A top adviser to Mr. Trump used to say he would ask 49 people what they thought of something, stopping only at 50 if the last person told him what he wanted to hear.
Ms. Harp fits well inside those patterns, people who work with Mr. Trump have said. They have described her as a conduit, rather than a filter, and an instant enabler of his impulses. She types up his thoughts as he dictates them and she quickly dispatches them onto social media. She has sometimes arranged media interviews for him without the knowledge of Mr. Trump’s press team.
President Trump will be bringing Natalie Harp to the White House with him. She’s the aide who types out his social media posts & keeps him informed on many topics.
Harp’s story with Trump is very wholesome. His “Right To Try” policy saved her life by allowing her to take a… pic.twitter.com/NHWYCwv5cw
— George (@BehizyTweets) November 25, 2024
Harp’s connection with Trump began in 2019 when she credited his “Right to Try” legislation with saving her life. Her public advocacy for Trump’s policies, along with her vocal support for baseless claims about the 2020 election, solidified her standing within his orbit. Since joining his staff in 2022, she has continued to influence Trump’s messaging and morale. Her handwritten letters, characterized by their personal and reverent tone, highlight an unusually intimate dynamic. In one, she expressed her commitment, writing, “You are my Guardian and Protector in this Life.” Associates have said that Trump treats her like another daughter.
As Trump assembles his team for a second administration, Harp’s influence is expected to remain significant yet contentious. While official communication channels under staff secretary Will Scharf will handle formal matters, Harp’s direct access ensures an alternative flow of information will persist. Her role symbolizes Trump’s enduring reliance on loyalists, a dynamic that could complicate efforts to impose traditional oversight and discipline on his administration. In Harp, Trump finds a trusted ally whose devotion mirrors his preference for unwavering loyalty, even as her unorthodox methods continue to stir debate within his circle.
