Mike Tyson Appears To Shut Down Natalie Harp With 'I'm Busy on the Phone,' Lip Reader Claims

Mike Tyson appeared to tell White House aide Natalie Harp, 'I'm busy on the phone,' as they crossed the South Lawn on 9 October, according to a lip reader's interpretation of silent video filmed after Donald Trump's rally in New York.

The brief exchange, claimed by lip reader Nicola Hickling, was captured on footage shared on X and quickly drew attention online, as viewers tried to work out what had been said during the walk back to the White House following the campaign event in Syracuse.

Hickling, who examined the clip, interpreted Harp as saying, 'We gotta go round and use the other door.' She then interpreted Tyson as replying, 'I'm busy on the phone.'

The exchange has not been independently verified. The words attributed to Tyson and Harp are based on Hickling's interpretation of silent footage, rather than an audible recording or a confirmed transcript.

Neither Tyson nor Harp had publicly commented on the exchange at the time of the reporting reviewed.

Mike Tyson's White House Walk

Video shared on X by user Acyn appeared to show Tyson walking alongside Harp and Energy Secretary Chris Wright as they accompanied Trump across the White House's South Lawn. The footage also appeared to show Tyson stopping for a photograph.

The clip followed a day in which Tyson featured prominently at Trump's political event in Syracuse. The former heavyweight champion attended the rally at the Oncenter, where Trump was campaigning for Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman.

Trump singled Tyson out from the crowd, praising his boxing career and joking that the fighter was standing beside Blakeman to offer him 'a little protection.' The president then invited Tyson onto the stage.

'I'm just happy to be up here with my president,' Tyson said, according to published footage and reporting.

Earlier, before travelling to the rally, Tyson had given reporters a brief assessment of Republicans' prospects in the November midterms. Asked how the party would fare, he said: 'I believe Donald Trump is gonna win it.'

The remark referred to the midterm elections, according to Fox News' report of the exchange. It came as Tyson also discussed his advocacy for federal cannabis reform, including the proposed rescheduling of marijuana and clemency for nonviolent marijuana offenders.

Why The South Lawn Clip Drew Attention

The South Lawn footage attracted interest because it followed Tyson's warm reception at the Syracuse rally. However, the video and Hickling's interpretation do not establish Tyson's tone, mood or intentions during the later exchange.

Trump and Tyson have known one another since the 1980s, when Trump hosted boxing events featuring Tyson in Atlantic City. Their relationship has also extended into cannabis advocacy, with Tyson urging the White House to pursue federal marijuana reform in 2025.

Tyson told Fox News Digital that rescheduling marijuana was his top priority and called for clemency and federal legalisation as further steps. His comments came after Trump signed an executive order in December 2025 directing the attorney general to expedite the proposed move of marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III.

What Remains Unverified About The Exchange

The alleged South Lawn exchange should be treated cautiously. Lip reading is an interpretation rather than a transcript, and the absence of audio or confirmation from those present means the five words attributed to Tyson cannot be presented as established fact.

The Irish Star's report characterised the moment as Tyson appearing to rebuff Harp, but that characterisation goes beyond what the available footage independently establishes. A person saying they are busy on a phone does not, by itself, demonstrate irritation, disrespect or an intention to dismiss another person.

The footage captures a brief interaction after a day of political appearances. What was said, however, remains uncertain, and any conclusion about Tyson's attitude towards Harp would require further evidence.