Natalie Harp has drawn attention with her reported absence from a recent White House event attended by Melania Trump. The development comes as the first lady returned to public view after more than a month away from appearances alongside Donald Trump. Here is everything to know.
Natalie Harp was allegedly absent from the event where Melania Trump was present
As reported by The Daily Beast, Natalie Harp, who has frequently accompanied Donald Trump in recent weeks, was reportedly not seen at the White House on Thursday when Melania Trump made a rare public appearance. The president’s executive assistant did not feature in photographs from the event, where the first lady joined her husband in the Rose Garden to announce the expansion of her Fostering the Future initiative.
Harp’s reported absence comes after she was repeatedly spotted with Trump during the past month. She was reportedly present with the president on numerous occasions, including during his trip to Turkey and his weekend visit to his golf club in New Jersey. According to reports, Harp was seen with Trump on at least 18 days over the previous month, while Melania did not appear publicly alongside her husband during the same period.
The circumstances have also drawn renewed attention to earlier claims about the relationship between Harp and the first lady. Trump biographer Michael Wolff has alleged that Melania’s limited appearances alongside her husband were due to Harp’s presence. Wolff claimed, “Melania, whose appearances with her husband were carefully negotiated and choreographed, would not show up if Harp was around.” The biographer further added, “Since Harp was always around, Melania never was—appearing with her husband only in the last week of the campaign.”
Melania’s appearance on Thursday marked one of her first public appearances with Trump in more than a month. Addressing the crowd, she appeared to reference her extended absence with a lighthearted comment, saying, “I heard you missed me. Here I am,” before welcoming attendees to the White House.
Originally reported by Disheeta Maheshwari on Mandatory.
