For the second consecutive weekend, Natalie Harp — the 35-year-old executive assistant who has become one of President Donald Trump’s most constant companions — was spotted at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey, on Sunday. Trailing the 80-year-old president in bright blue golfing attire and carrying her trademark large red bag, she followed closely as he greeted young golfers.
A video shared on social media by MAGA influencer Michael Solakiewicz captured Harp just steps behind Trump as he chatted with the youth golfers at the New Jersey resort, reigniting commentary about the bond between the president and his young aide. The footage spread quickly, prompting fresh scrutiny of a relationship that has generated attention both inside and outside the White House.
A Fixture at the President’s Side
Harp’s role extends well beyond her official title. The former One America News anchor now serves as Trump’s executive assistant — a designation that encompasses an unusually broad set of duties. She travels with a portable printer to supply the president with physical copies of news articles, posts from his social media accounts late into the night, and regularly attends Oval Office meetings. Her dedication has earned her two nicknames: the “human printer” and the “human binkie.”
Harp spent her second consecutive weekend at the New Jersey club, celebrating her 35th birthday there the prior weekend while Trump attended the LIV Golf tournament’s final round. On Sunday, she returned to the capital with acting intelligence chief Bill Pulte, her distinctive red bag in tow.
Earlier this month, cameras caught Harp boarding Marine One near the White House with a red backpack as Trump departed for a West Coast trip to Los Angeles and Las Vegas. In Los Angeles, he attended a Republican National Committee fundraiser at his Rancho Palos Verdes golf club.
Democrats and Social Media Take Notice
The recurring presence of a 35-year-old aide at the side of the 80-year-old president drew pointed commentary from Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff of Georgia, 39, during a rally in Atlanta on Sunday. Ossoff delivered a sharp rebuke of what he characterized as a president more invested in leisure than governing, making Harp’s presence a centerpiece of his critique.
Ossoff accused the president of prioritizing golf and personal interests over governing responsibilities, while sailors serve in combat and national resources are depleted. He criticized Trump for wanting to construct his ballroom and travel with Natalie aboard what he called an inadequately protected aircraft provided by Qatar’s ruler.
Ossoff’s speech quickly went viral, with Mehdi Hasan, Ron Filipkowski and Adam Carlson sharing the footage widely. Michigan State Senate Majority Whip Mallory McMorrow asked, “Ok I’ll bite. Who’s Natalie.” Podcast host Jeff Storobinsky questioned why First Lady Melania Trump would remain in the marriage. Harp was also spotted in the background of a social media photo posted by Lara Trump, wife of Eric Trump, holding two cellphones and documents.
Letters, Devotion and a Secret Flight
Much of the public fascination with Harp stems from “Regime Change,” the book by New York Times correspondents Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan. The book revealed that Trump told his team Harp was the only person who loved him as much as his wife and children, and he predicted she would never leave him. Harp reportedly left handwritten letters for the president in his personal spaces; one read, “You are all that matters to me.”
Harp accompanied Trump on a covert departure from Turkey following a credible Iranian threat against Air Force One, the Secret Service determined. The president flew on an Air Force 32-A with only Harp, Deputy Chief of Staff Dan Scavino, and former valet Walt Nauta. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, senior adviser Stephen Miller, other top officials and the press pool remained on the decoy aircraft.
On MS NOW Sunday, Haberman said Harp serves as Trump’s emotional support — “his comfort blanket” — during high-stress situations.
Family Offers a Window Into the Bond
Preston Harp, Natalie’s estranged brother, characterized their relationship as unhealthy, comparing his sister to a fan club. He traced her fierce loyalty to their shared upbringing, telling interviewers the siblings were homeschooled and raised on American exceptionalism. He said Natalie views what critics call historical whitewashing as legitimate correction, much as Trump does.
Biographer Michael Wolff reported that even Trump’s inner circle expressed concern about Harp’s closeness. On “Inside Trump’s Head,” Wolff said the Secret Service warned that officials considered Harp’s attachment as a potential danger both to her and to the president. The White House has not responded to requests for comment.