Why is the White House being so weird about Natalie Harp again? | Arwa Mahdawi

The White House has been unusually cautious about Natalie Harp, Donald Trump's assistant, once again. This time, Harp traveled with the president to Ireland, a fact that might seem mundane. However, the White House's comms team has been making a point of emphasizing this aspect of his trip. The president visited Ireland for golf, meetings with leaders, and to make controversial remarks about unification.

Melania Trump did not join her husband on the trip, but Harp was clearly by his side. Harp, a 35-year-old aide, gained significant media attention last month after a Democratic senator jokingly suggested that Trump's sole reason for his trip was to "build his ballroom and travel with Natalie." The White House's reaction to this remark was notably aggressive, with the administration calling the senator a "cuck loser."

This response led to a media frenzy, drawing attention to Harp, who is known for her obsessive behavior towards Trump. She often follows him with a portable printer, ready to capture flattering press clippings of him. Recently, it was revealed that Trump had given Harp, along with two other female aides, a $45,000 cash gift for a vacation.

This unusual spending raises questions about the White House's approach to Harp, who appears to be a significant figure in the president's entourage, despite her relatively young age and the fact that she is not Melania Trump.