Michael Wolff Claims Natalie Harp Pushed Trump to Demolish White House East Wing
Michael Wolff says aide Natalie Harp urged Donald Trump to tear down the White House East Wing for a ballroom.
In a recent interview on the Inside Trump’s Head podcast, author Michael Wolff alleged that Natalie Harp, a 35-year-old aide often seen with Donald Trump, was instrumental in persuading the president to dismantle the White House’s East Wing. Wolff said staff inside the executive residence reported Harp arguing for the removal of the historic wing to accommodate a “colossal” ballroom. He suggested Harp is positioning herself as the closest woman to Trump. The demolition of the East Wing is described as a flagship element of Trump’s self-styled beautification of Washington, D.C. The White House was contacted for a response; a spokesperson previously called Wolff “a lying piece of s--t.” The podcast promotes further episodes on multiple platforms.
Why it matters
It links a senior aide to a controversial alteration of a historic government building, highlighting influence within the Trump administration.
How this story developed
- Aug 12 Scott Jennings Emerges as Leading Candidate to Succeed Karoline Leavitt as White House Press Secretary
- 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 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.
- Aug 18 Leavitt announced her resignation effective at month’s end.
- Aug 18 It was disclosed that Harp is a bone‑cancer survivor who attributes her recovery to the 2018 Right‑to‑Try Act.
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