White House insiders 'irked and trying to box out' Trump’s favorite aide

U.S. President Donald Trump's executive assistant Natalie Harp disembarks Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, U.S., August 16, 2026. REUTERS/Ken Cedeno

While many members of the White House team flocked to defend President Donald Trump's aide Natalie Harp, behind the scenes, there are aides talking about how annoyed they are with her.

Harp was part of a recent book by Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan about Trump's staff. According to the book, Harp is always with the president and carries around a battery-operated printer so he can read things on paper. Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff (Georgia) mocked Trump for always needing her around and having a number of "emotional security staffers." Trump allies immediately launched a flood of attacks Ossoff for claiming they were having an affair, though that wasn't what he said.

While some rushed to defend Harp, others were quietly leaking their problems with her, CNN said on Wednesday.

Senior White House reporter Betsy Klein explained that the ordeal "really speaks tohow President Trump has reallydisrupted traditional Republican Party power structures andhierarchies, and that hascreated a vacuum of talent. Andin that vacuum, you have seenpeople coming fromnontraditional politicalbackgrounds. And the oneoverwhelming thing that many ofthem have in common is loyaltyto President Trump and to hismovement."

She explained that Harp's "origin story" is the perfect representation of that when she credited Trump for saving her life with his "right to try" policy that allows access to experimental treatments.

"Now, she has sincebecome one of President Trump'smost trusted and loyal advisers," said Klein. "She is a constant and intensely dedicated presence, according to sources that we've spoke to, and at times, some of those sources say that has irked members of the president's inner circle, who have tried to take steps to box her out at times. But for President Trump, she is intensely dedicated, loyal. He appreciates her commitment."

The Haberman/Swan book relayed a story in which Trump said that all of the other staffers would "leave" him, but Harp won't. In the end, he claimed it would be his family and Harp. The reporters also revealed that the Secret Service and chief of staff Susie Wiles were "alarmed" by harp.

Speaking to CNN on Tuesday, Harp's brother told Erin Burnett that Trump's best friends are those who are "in his fan club." Harp, he said, is "his biggest fan. And so that's probably why he likes her and, like, she's good looking." The brother also said that Harp had written letters to other presidents. "So, her dream came true, finally," he added.

Harp's brother previously spoke to the Daily Mail about his sister, saying that it's an "unhealthy relationship."

CNN obtained a photo of Harp after a huge fight between staff. Harp had claimed that Trump wanted her by his side at his New York Trial. She was rebuffed, so she climbed into the trunk of the SUV.

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