Journalist Aaron Rupar posted a photo from President Donald Trump’s trip to Ireland that showed Natalie Harp standing in a group. The image was credited to Brendan Smialowski of AFP via Getty. Rupar wrote on X, “Look who made the trip to Ireland!” and added the hashtag #TravelWithNatalie.
The White House Rapid Response 47 account replied on X a few hours later. The account said, “President Trump does, in fact, travel with staff.” In the same post, it wrote, “Aaron, on the other hand, is a sick, deluded freak (in his 40s) who sits behind a keyboard and posts creepy things like this.”
Rupar then quoted that reply. He wrote on X, “The taxpayer-funded White House incitement account is now attacking me for [checks notes] being in my 40s.” In a separate reply, he said, “I know being in my 40s makes me too old for the president but I’m at peace with it.”
Rupar’s Harp posts followed Ossoff’s remarks about Trump’s travel and staff
Mediaite points out that Rupar owns one of the more visible accounts on X that clips video of Trump and other politicians. He has described himself as a lifelong liberal Democrat. An April profile in The Times called him “the man who watches Trump all day, every day” and reported that he spends 80 hours a week monitoring the president.
Rupar has done little in the past to hide his disapproval of Trump. Earlier this year, he called the president a “demented old man.” His recent focus on Harp came after Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-GA) said Trump would rather “travel with Natalie” than lead the United States.
Ossoff later told MS NOW he was not suggesting Trump was having an affair with Harp. He said he was describing Trump as living in a “bubble” surrounded by sycophants. After those comments, Rupar kept posting about Harp and kept using the #TravelWithNatalie hashtag.
Rupar also mockingly posted that Harp was carrying around Trump’s “gigantic diaper bag.” Harp is 35 and works as an executive assistant and special assistant to the president. She has been seen often at Trump’s side on trips and at events. Harp’s close proximity to Trump has drawn attention, such as when he reportedly gave cash to her and two other young female staffers.
Trump spoke Saturday morning about why Melania Trump did not make the Ireland trip. He said she would have loved to come but did not want to deal with the seven-hour flight. “My wife is here in spirit,” Trump said. Trump’s remarks about his wife came amid broader discussions about his inner circle, as a family member of a White House aide has publicly criticized her closeness to the former president.
Published: Sep 13, 2026 08:15 am