Natalie Harp is alleged to be "intensely devoted" to Donald Trump and is "acting like an accelerator" by bringing out his "worst instincts", it's been alleged. In recent weeks, Harp has attracted increasing media attention, with reports casting her as a trusted figure within Trump's inner circle and suggesting she has a particularly close relationship with the president.
Background and Rise to Prominence
Harp first came to wider attention after crediting Trump with saving her life by backing the Right to Try Act, which expanded patients’ access to experimental health treatments. She says she used it during her bone cancer treatment and that, without Trump, she would have "died waiting" for approval. Harp would go on to be a prominent figure in Trump's MAGA (Make America Great Again) movement.
As the media continues to clamour for information about Harp's relationship with Trump, CNN recently tracked down her estranged brother, Preston Harp, who gave what one political commentator described as a "disturbing" account of his sister's alleged "obsession" with US Presidents.
Brother's Account and Political Commentary
Outspoken Trump critic David Pakman said in a recent video for his YouTube channel: "So CNN went and found Natalie Harp's brother, Preston Harp. And this story is taking on an incredible life of its own. And this is probably one of the most disturbing accounts about Natalie Harp."
Preston told CNN's Erin Burnett: "I'd say since she was like 16, she’s had an obsession with, gosh, how do I explain this? She’s written letters to other presidents, let me put it that way. And so, like, her dream came true finally." Asked who she wrote to, he added: "I didn't see the letter, but George Bush obviously, during the Iraq War."
Harp, who has been described by unnamed sources as a "gatekeeper", was also alleged by the New York Times' Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan to have sent personal messages to Trump, including one that read: "You are all that matters to me."
Role and Nickname
Harp, who is said to accompany her boss to almost every engagement, has recently been branded with the harsh nickname “nappy nurse”. The label emerged after she was seen carrying a tote bag at a ceremony at Dover Air Force Base, prompting online commentators to make unsubstantiated claims that it contained adult nappies for Trump.
David said: "Natalie Harp is very relevant to the state of American politics right now, as disturbing as it is, because she is not like the random White House employee; this is one of Donald Trump's closest aides. She's at his side all the time. She's running his Truth Social account. She's acting like an accelerator rather than a brake pedal on Trump's worst instincts."
He acknowledged that writing letters to US Presidents is not "inherently alarming", but says Preston's comments suggest Harp has an "unhealthy obsession" with Donald Trump. David added: "Teenagers do write to elected officials, and politically engaged people contact the White House. That doesn't really prove anything. But what Preston is talking about here is this pattern where powerful political leaders are kind of becoming objects of personal devotion to Natalie Harp. And with Trump, it's become central to her life and central to her career."
Erin also put a story to Preston about Harp reportedly jumping into the trunk of an SUV when there wasn't any space for her in Trump's motorcade. Preston burst out laughing, saying it was "kind of sad" and pointing to an "unhealthy obsession".
David said Preston was "reportedly estranged" from his sister, but the "issue" was that the aide seemed "intensely devoted" to Trump in a way that appears to be like a "smitten obsession", and she had "extraordinary access" to him.
