Natalie Harp, Trump’s ‘human printer’, in the spotlight after decoy plane incident

A close aide to Donald Trump is at the centre of an ugly clash between the White House and Senator Jon Ossoff, after the Democratic lawmaker drew the administration’s ire for highlighting the close nature of her relationship with the US president.

Natalie Harp, a 35-year-old executive assistant to the president, is little known to the public but a constant presence at Trump’s side, both in the White House and during weekend trips to his golf properties. In her role, she is seen as a gatekeeper, curating the news articles, social media posts and messages Trump reads.

Harp was thrust into the spotlight after it was reported that she was one of the few people who accompanied Trump on a secret flight out of Turkey last month even as cabinet secretaries, senior advisers, military personnel and journalists were unwittingly left travelling on another plane due to unspecified Iranian threats.

The episode spurred scrutiny about the president’s relationship with a young executive assistant and the important influence she wields. The swift and fierce backlash from the White House also indicated the lengths Trump and his advisers are willing to go to defend Harp.

Ossoff, who is seeking re-election to the Senate in November and is seen as a potential 2028 Democratic presidential contender, appeared to strike a nerve on Sunday at a rally.

The senator criticised the president, saying that instead of focusing on his duties as commander-in-chief, Trump was content to “build his ballroom and travel with Natalie on their apparently defenceless flying palace gifted by the emir of Qatar”, referring to Trump’s construction projects and his use of the lavish Air Force One given to him by the Middle Eastern state.