Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Read more
Natalie Harp, the president’s close aide who has been the subject of recent intense speculation, was spotted with Trump on another golf course this weekend.
The 35-year-old aide and the president, along with other staffers, were pictured at Trump National in Sterling, Virginia, Saturday. Harp, wearing golf attire, was seen carrying several devices including a laptop, as well as a branded “Trump” bag. As they left the golf course, Trump entered an SUV on the passenger side and then Harp also jumped in the backseat, according to the White House pool report.
The president remained in the D.C. area this weekend as he is set to wave the flag at the Indy 250 Grand Prix event – which will see drivers race a 1.7-mile circuit in the heart of the capital – Sunday. Trump is also expected to take a lap of the official course in the presidential motorcade.
Harp has been thrust into the national spotlight after her close relationship with the president was called out by Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff during a campaign rally in Georgia last weekend as he claimed that the president was distracted from the ongoing Iran war and resulting economic crisis by petty issues like his D.C. beautification projects.
“He wants to build his ballroom and travel with Natalie,” Ossoff said.
Natalie Harp is seen among the president’s staffers at his golf club in Sterling, Virginia, on Saturday (Getty)
Harp rides in an SUV carrying Trump as they leave Trump National Golf Club (Getty)
Abdul El-Sayed, a progressive Democrat running for Senate in Michigan, was the latest opposition lawmaker to make remarks as the scrutiny over Harp’s role grows.
Responding Saturday to a clip of Trump attacking him, El-Sayed directed a public message at Harp: “Natalie, I think he’s had a little too much iPad for the week. He needs his rest.”
Harp is known as the “Human Printer”, according to reports, because her role involves carrying a portable printer in order to present Trump with hard copies of positive news stories and statements from people praising him.
Reports have also revealed how Harp often leaves effusive and extremely personal notes for the president, to extent that her activity even alarmed Secret Service agents. Her estranged brother has called her relationship with Trump “unhealthy” in interviews.
Natalie Harp and White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt trail the president at Joint Base Andrews as he heads to a campaign rally in South Carolina Friday (AFP/Getty)
One of those notes, reported earlier this week, related to another golf trip. After Harp sprinted after the president’s golf cart during a May 2023 visit to his course in Aberdeen, Scotland, she wrote a note to Trump apologizing for the spectacle.
“I also am sorry if I was an embarrassment walking the course in Scotland … I want things to always be right between us. I also know I’ve been distracted all week (forgetting to eat throughout the days, and even forgetting to sleep, and only catching a couple hours at a time),” she wrote, according to reports.
On Saturday, CNN revealed scores of posts Harp made on X before her account was suspended.
The posts repeatedly urged Trump’s supporters on January 6 to “FIGHT FOR TRUMP!”. The posts also addressed Trump directly, telling the outgoing president, “We love you.”
Harp is rarely absent from the president’s side during domestic or foreign trips (AFP/Getty)
The attention on Harp has elicited furious responses from White House aides and senior MAGA world figures.
The president’s top defender on CNN, Scott Jennings, issued a passionate defense of Harp on social media and in TV appearances this past week.
White House communications director Steven Cheung issued an acidic attack against Ossoff. “Jon Jackoff has to be the biggest cuck loser in politics,” wrote the White House communications director.