Haberman says Trump’s secret Turkey flight highlights personal and social-media priorities
Maggie Haberman argues that the aides Trump took on a covert aircraft from Turkey reflect his focus on personal support and social-media control.
During a discussion with Jessica Yellin, journalist Maggie Haberman dissected the meaning of Donald Trump’s recent secret Air Force One flight out of Turkey. Trump boarded a concealed military aircraft accompanied by personal assistant Natalie Harp, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Oval Office Advance chief Walt Nauta and Deputy Chief of Staff Dan Scavino, leaving Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the press pool on the legacy plane.
Haberman linked Harp and Scavino’s presence to their roles in operating Trump’s social-media feed, while noting Nauta’s indictment in the Mar-a-Lago documents case. She suggested the limited passenger list also stemmed from practical security worries about having many senior officials together. The episode, she said, reveals the priorities Trump and his inner circle place on personal loyalty and digital messaging when faced with potential threats.
Why it matters
The story shows how Trump's travel choices expose his reliance on close aides and social-media managers, hinting at governance and security implications.
How this story developed
- Aug 9 Bill Cassidy explains why he backed Todd Blanche for attorney general
- Aug 13 Blanche’s swearing‑in moves him from acting to confirmed Attorney General.
- Aug 13 Leavitt’s resignation was announced as a decision to focus on her family.
- Aug 14 Additional potential candidates such as Stephen Cheung, Stephen Miller and Matthew Boyle have entered the speculation.
- Aug 14 Katie Miller was taken off the list of candidates for press secretary.
- Aug 14 Jen Psaki publicly criticized Leavitt, calling her a liar and alleging she avoided tough questions.
- Aug 16 Multiple senior officials, including White House counsel and a deputy national security adviser, have resigned as Leavitt prepares to leave.
- Aug 16 Blanche delivered his first address to Justice Department employees after his confirmation.
- Aug 16 Biographer Maggie Haberman said President Donald Trump kept aide Natalie Harp close as his “human binkie” while slipping out of Turkey in July.
- Aug 18 White House officials issued a rebuke following Ossoff’s rally comments about Natalie Harp.
- Aug 18 White House officials used profanity‑laden insults toward Ossoff in their rebuttal.
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