White House Fires Back at Rosie O'Donnell's Natalie Harp Joke
The White House responded sharply to Rosie O'Donnell’s on-air jab about aide Natalie Harp, calling the comedian a “nasty woman.”
Rosie O'Donnell, filling in for Jimmy Kimmel, opened her monologue with a quip that President Trump should let his blonde aide Natalie Harp “tuck him in” at night. In reaction, White House spokesperson Davis Ingle dismissed O'Donnell as a “nasty woman” whose brain has been “completely destroyed by Trump Derangement Syndrome.” The comment arrives amid persistent rumors about Harp’s proximity to the president, a topic explored in Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan’s book, which notes Harp’s personal notes to Trump and her $150,000 salary as a special and executive assistant.
Earlier, Senator Jon Ossoff had joked that Trump prefers traveling with Harp over governing, prompting Trump to sidestep the issue at a press conference. O'Donnell’s remark was the most pointed about Trump during her brief hosting run, and she will conclude her guest-hosting duties the following night.
Why it matters
The exchange highlights the White House’s sensitivity to media criticism and ongoing curiosity about the influence of a close presidential aide.
How this story developed
- Aug 16 Trump's aide Natalie Harp dubbed his “human binkie” during covert Turkey exit
- 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 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 Trump added claims of direct contact with Kim Jong Un and demands on South Korea during the same briefing.
- Aug 18 It was disclosed that Harp is a bone‑cancer survivor who attributes her recovery to the 2018 Right‑to‑Try Act.
- 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 20 Ossoff doubled down on his remarks at the rally, further emphasizing the innuendo about Harp.
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