A lip reader has decoded a seemingly “tense” exchange between two of Donald Trump's closest aides before one quit. Karoline Leavitt, the White House Press Secretary, announced her resignation earlier this week having just returned from maternity leave. Soon after the announcement, a “leaked” video emerged on Twitter appearing to show Leavitt and Trump's “nappy nurse” Natalie Harp involved in a tense exchange.
What the lip reader says was said
Lip reader Nicola Hickling has watched the “tense” footage taken as Harp, Leavitt and Trump sat on the Marine One helicopter. According to her, Leavitt asked: “Are you sure?” before Harp responded with: “We don't like it. There's going to be an announcement as soon as possible, okay?”
Leavitt can then be seen letting out a heavy sigh and rubbing her arms, possibly indicating stress, before gesturing towards Harp. Her subsequent words were concealed as she leaned forward away from the window. Harp replies: “This has now happened twice.”
Background on Harp and the resignation
Trump’s unusually close relationship with Harp has raised eyebrows in recent weeks. In a new biography of Trump, Regime Change, Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan allege that Harp left deeply personal letters for the 80-year-old president to find, including one that reportedly read: “You are all that matters to me.”
Harp, who accompanies her boss to almost every event as his executive assistant, has also been given the cruel nickname “nappy nurse.” The label emerged after she was photographed carrying a tote bag during a ceremony at Dover Air Force Base, prompting online commentators to make unsubstantiated claims that it contained adult nappies for Trump.
The exact subject of their conversation remains uncertain but it follows Leavitt's announcement of her “bittersweet decision” in a Wednesday statement on social media, posted shortly after President Donald Trump confirmed her resignation. She had only recently resumed her briefing duties after welcoming her second child, daughter Viviana, who was born in May.
Reaction and next steps
Sharing the Marine One Exchange footage on X, user Call to Activism noted: “In a LEAKED video from last night, she looks visibly isolated during a tense Marine One exchange with Trump and another woman. Hours later, she's out. Is the WH covering up something?”
Announcing her resignation yesterday, Leavitt said: “The truth is since returning to the White House after the birth of my daughter, I have felt in my heart that I cannot be the best mom my two young children deserve while devoting the constant time, energy, and attention required of the White House Press Secretary - and that is why I have ultimately made the bittersweet decision to depart the White House and embark on a new chapter in my life.”
Trump has yet to name her successor for the prominent position. In his social media statement, he described her departure as a decision “I totally understand and respect!” while suggesting she would remain linked to his team. “Karoline will now be one of my top outside advisors, and an influential voice within the Republican Party, as we work to defy History, and conclusively win the Midterm Elections,” the president penned.
