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Vanity Fair Writer Disputes Aide Natalie Harp's Role in Cover Story

Politics8 sourcesAug 23, 2026
Center-LeftRigor 568 sources

The Story

Journalist Chris Whipple stated that Natalie Harp was never considered for inclusion in Vanity Fair's December 2025 White House cover story, dismissing rumors of her self-recusal as ridiculous. Whipple told MS NOW's Alex Witt on Saturday that no one at Vanity Fair considered including Harp in the photo session, nor did anyone at the White House, to his knowledge. He added that Harp's name never came up in his 11 months of meetings with White House officials leading up to the story. Whipple described Harp's relationship with President Donald Trump as extraordinarily unique and raised concerns about a fan-girl having the president's ear. Harp, a 35-year-old aide, has faced increased scrutiny following Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff's remarks at a re-election rally and the publication of her letters to Trump. Abdul El-Sayed, a Democratic Senate candidate, also criticized Trump's relationship with Harp, suggesting the president needs his rest. CNN reported that Harp posted more than 150 since-deleted social media messages supporting Trump on January 6, 2021. The metadata of a 14-page memo Trump sent to the January 6 committee in October 2022 indicates Harp authored the document, a finding verified by The Daily Beast. Harp, who earns a $150,000 taxpayer-funded salary, previously worked as a host for One America News.

The Spread

What they agree on

  • Natalie Harp is an aide to President Donald Trump.
  • Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff made remarks about Natalie Harp at a rally.
  • Natalie Harp wrote letters to President Donald Trump.
  • Natalie Harp posted on social media on January 6, 2021.
  • Natalie Harp has been described as a "human printer" for President Donald Trump.

Where they split

  • The Daily Beast and other outlets report on the content and implications of Harp's letters to Trump and her deleted social media posts.
  • CNN and The Independent focus on reporting related to Harp's social media activity on January 6, 2021, and her relationship with Trump.
  • Chris Whipple, a Vanity Fair writer, is quoted by The Daily Beast and Mediaite disputing claims about Harp's involvement in a December 2025 cover story.
  • Twitchy and other outlets frame the coverage of Natalie Harp as partisan attacks from Democrats and the media.

Source Perspectives

Left6 sources
Center1 source
Right1 source