The Aporia
The Aporia
Matthews, S. (2026, August 26). I Worked for Trump. The Natalie Harp Saga Isn’t Surprising. The Bulwark. https://www.thebulwark.com/p/i-worked-for-trump-the-natalie-harp-saga-isnt-surprising
Matthews, Sarah. “I Worked for Trump. The Natalie Harp Saga Isn’t Surprising.” The Bulwark, 26 Aug. 2026, https://www.thebulwark.com/p/i-worked-for-trump-the-natalie-harp-saga-isnt-surprising.
Matthews, Sarah. “I Worked for Trump. The Natalie Harp Saga Isn’t Surprising.” The Bulwark, August 26, 2026. https://www.thebulwark.com/p/i-worked-for-trump-the-natalie-harp-saga-isnt-surprising.
Dated when The Aporia collected the article, usually within hours of publication. Check the original for its exact date and byline.
Natalie Harp, a 35-year-old Californian who graduated from Point Loma Nazarene University in 2012 and earned an MBA from Liberty University in 2015, is one of Donald Trump's closest and most devoted aides. She was introduced as "a formerly forgotten American from California" at the 2020 Republican national convention, where she compared Trump to George Bailey, a character from the classic film It's a Wonderful Life. Harp's official job title is special assistant to the president and executive assistant on an annual salary of $150,000.
After joining the White House in 2022, Harp attracted attention for her devoted letters to Trump and her constant presence by his side. She has been nicknamed the "human printer" for supplying him with print-outs of information. Recently, Trump reportedly joked that she could replace Karoline Leavitt as White House press secretary.
Harp's relationship with Trump has raised concerns about security clearance, as it was reported that she worked at the White House without routine clearance for over a year. She eventually filled out the paperwork and was granted clearance after Trump became involved.
The scrutiny of Harp's role in the administration has also led to questions about her special perks, including access to an exclusive Sunday buffet at Trump's golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida. Her devotion to Trump has been described as "obsequious" by some, and her relationship with him has been compared to a "cult-like" dynamic.
