Trump aide Natalie Harp’s exclusive golf club buffet access sparks staff unease
Biographer Michael Wolff says Natalie Harp was uniquely permitted to use the Palm Beach golf club buffet, a privilege other Trump staff did not receive, prompting concern within the campaign.
According to Trump biographer Michael Wolff, Natalie Harp—who joined Donald Trump’s team in 2022 and now earns $150,000 a year as an executive assistant—was consistently allowed into the exclusive buffet at Trump’s Palm Beach golf club, a perk other campaign staff were barred from. Wolff recounted staff reactions of disbelief and inquiries to the club’s servers about her special status. The Daily Beast recently released two letters Harp wrote to Trump, in which she declared total devotion and expressed envy toward women whose only job seemed to be speaking with him.
Her swift rise and the fact that she went over a year without the routine security clearance required for West Wing personnel have heightened staff wariness, leading to unsuccessful attempts to limit her access to the president. When asked for comment, a White House spokesperson dismissed Wolff as a “professional scumbag.” The episode underscores internal tensions and questions of favoritism within Trump’s 2024 campaign.
Why it matters
It shows how personal favoritism may affect access and influence inside the Trump campaign.
How this story developed
- Aug 15 War Secretary Pete Hegseth’s Iowa Campaign Stops Fuel Talk of Future Political Run
- Aug 17 While honoring teen lifeguard Ryder Williams and rescued boy Nathaniel Rai, Trump turned to the press and ordered Holmes to be quiet, labeling her “fake news.” He repeated the admonishment, directing the question to the child. The incident echoed earlier attacks on journalists.
- Aug 18 Trump added claims of direct contact with Kim Jong Un and demands on South Korea during the same briefing.
- Aug 18 Megyn Kelly condemned Senator Jon Ossoff’s remarks about President Trump’s close aide Natalie Harp, calling the attack on the 35-year-old cancer survivor despicable.
- Aug 19 Scott Jennings reacted angrily on his broadcast after Ossoff mentioned Harp.
- Aug 20 Trump ordered an internal inquiry after private letters with Harp were leaked.
- Aug 20 Ossoff’s Atlanta rally comment about Harp provoked a profane tweet from White House communications director Steven Cheung and condemnations from several conservative figures.
- Aug 25 The satire aired, specifically naming Hegseth as part of the small plane crew.
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