Who Is Natalie Harp? Reporter Calls Trump's Aide His "Comfort Blanket"
New York Times senior White House correspondent Maggie Haberman compared presidential aide Natalie Harp to a "binky" for President Donald Trump, a comment that has intensified ongoing scrutiny over the 35-year-old assistant's role in the administration.
Haberman made the remark during a Sunday, Aug. 16, appearance on MS NOW while discussing why only a small group of staffers, including Harp, Dan Scavino and Walt Nauta, joined Trump on a secondary aircraft during a secret plane swap in Turkey in July. The swap was reportedly prompted by concerns over Iranian threats. Asked why those particular aides were included on the smaller plane, Haberman said Harp functions as something like "a comfort blanket" for the president, someone whose presence provides a sense of familiarity and reassurance.
Why Harp Has Drawn Scrutiny
Haberman explained that Nauta serves a similar purpose for Trump, often carrying a brown leather briefcase containing personal items the president relies on day to day. She noted that Scavino's role is different, rooted in three decades of loyalty that began when he worked as a caddy at one of Trump's golf courses before eventually joining his campaign and White House staff.
Harp's situation has drawn more scrutiny than either of theirs. Haberman, co-author of the new book "Regime Change: Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump," has reported that Harp left personal notes for Trump in his private spaces, including one that read "you are all that matters to me." According to Haberman's reporting, Harp's role in the administration extends beyond typical assistant duties, with Haberman describing her as functioning partly as an emotional support figure for the president, someone who helps keep him in a positive mood and shields him from negative coverage.
Harp joined Trump's team during the period between his two presidential terms and has since become one of the aides most frequently photographed alongside him, appearing in settings ranging from the Oval Office to the golf course. Her constant presence at Trump's side has made her a recognizable figure in Washington, even as questions about the exact nature of her role have persisted.
A Senator Raises Questions, and the White House Pushes Back
The debate over Harp's position intensified further when Georgia Sen. Jon Ossoff, a Democrat seeking reelection and a potential 2028 presidential contender, raised questions about Trump's relationship with Harp during a rally on Sunday. Ossoff suggested the president was prioritizing personal matters, including travel with Harp, over his official responsibilities, framing it as part of a broader critique of how Trump spends his time in office.
White House communications director Steven Cheung responded sharply to Ossoff's comments in a post on X the following day, criticizing the senator personally rather than directly addressing the substance of his claims about Harp's role. Cheung's response focused on attacking Ossoff's character rather than offering specifics about Harp's responsibilities within the administration.
White House spokesman Davis Ingle also addressed Haberman's "binky" comment directly, defending Harp's standing on the president's staff and pushing back on the characterization of her role as anything other than professional.
A Recurring Talking Point in Washington
This isn't the first time Harp's presence in Trump's orbit has become a subject of public conversation. Her consistent placement alongside the president during high-profile moments, paired with reporting on the personal notes she has reportedly left him, has kept her a recurring talking point among journalists covering the administration. Haberman, who has covered Trump since the 1990s and is often referred to as "the Trump whisperer," has positioned her reporting on Harp as part of a larger examination of how the president's inner circle operates during his second term.
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