Trump Aide Natalie Harp's Unusual Access Draws Questions After Podcast Reveals Staffers' 'Spanking' Joke

Donald Trump's unusually close working relationship with White House aide Natalie Harp has drawn renewed attention after a podcast discussion revealed crude jokes about the pair, alongside questions about Harp's prominent access to the president.

Author Michael Wolff and the hosts addressed perceptions surrounding Harp's proximity to Trump. One speaker raised a 'spanking' joke involving the aide, but the remark was presented as humour about the pair's dynamic rather than evidence that such conduct had actually occurred.

Harp's Unusually Close Access to Trump

According to the podcast discussion, Harp became a frequent presence around Trump during his campaign to return to the White House and continued to appear regularly alongside him after he took office.

Previous reporting has also raised questions about the extent of her access within the White House. Harp has reportedly worked from a desk near the Oval Office, while earlier reports questioned whether she had completed the standard security-clearance process during part of her time working around the White House.

Those reports did not establish that Harp improperly accessed classified information. The White House has subsequently said that she obtained a security clearance.

Harp has also been closely involved in Trump's communications operation, with reporting describing her role in helping with his social media activity and other communications.

Her frequent appearances alongside Trump at public events and on his properties have contributed to speculation about the nature of her role. However, her proximity to the president by itself does not establish any inappropriate relationship between the two.

The podcast discussion also touched on claims about privileges allegedly afforded to Harp. One allegation concerned her reported access to an exclusive buffet at one of Trump's golf properties, sometimes accompanied by her mother.

Podcast Discussion Turns To 'Spanking' Joke

The conversation became more provocative when Wolff and the hosts discussed how people around Trump had allegedly perceived Harp's relationship with the president.

Wolff characterised Harp as unusually submissive towards Trump and suggested that her level of deference had stood out to people around the president.

One speaker then asked:

'Has the boss been spanking Natalie? Is that what they would say?'

The remark was presented as a crude joke about perceptions of the relationship. There was no evidence presented in the discussion that Trump had actually spanked Harp, nor did the podcast establish that the pair had a sexual relationship.

The speakers also suggested that perceptions of the unusual dynamic had emerged during Trump's campaign, before Harp became a White House aide.

Laura Loomer Defends Harp

Conservative activist Laura Loomer has defended Harp and argued that some criticism of the aide originated from within Trump's own political operation.

Speaking on Michael Cohen's podcast, Loomer alleged that Trump's staff were responsible for leaking personal communications, photographs and letters involving Harp.

'These attacks are originating from inside the Oval Office, inside the West Wing,' Loomer said.

Loomer described Harp as a close friend and praised her work, saying Trump regarded her as one of his most competent and loyal staffers.

Those claims remain allegations and have not established who, if anyone, was responsible for the alleged leaks.