Fact Check: Did Natalie Harp file a lawsuit against Jimmy Kimmel over jokes about her?

WASHINGTON, DC: Amid controversy over President Donald Trump’s closeness to his White House aide Natalie Harp, an allegation began circulating on social media platforms claiming Harp filed a lawsuit against late-night show host Jimmy Kimmel over jokes about her. The claim has sparked questions about its authenticity, prompting a fact-check.

Claim: Natalie Harp filed a $100M lawsuit against Jimmy Kimmel

The claim surfaced as a post on X said Harp has filed a lawsuit in the Manhattan Superior Court against Jimmy Kimmel Live and ABC for $100 million in punitive damages. 

Harp told reporters that while she doesn’t mind some playful banter and “political trash-talking,” Kimmel went too far. “He said things that no woman should have to hear,” she allegedly said.

The post has drawn hundreds of thousands of views as of this writing, drawing conflicting reactions from online users. Some appeared to support Harp while others defended Kimmel, suggesting that many believe the claim to be true.

Meanwhile, a few others remained skeptical and questioned the claim’s authenticity.

Fact Check: No credible evidence to support the claim

The claim, however, is false, as there is no evidence of Harp filing a lawsuit against Kimmel for a joke about her.

There are no publicly available statements, press releases, or social media posts from Harp or the White House about a  $100 million lawsuit in punitive damages against the late-night show host.

If the claim were true, it would not go unreported by prominent news media outlets, given the speculation surrounding Harp’s closeness to Trump and Kimmel’s previous clash with the Trump administration.

A search on Google and other search engines for the claim also yielded no such media reports, and there are also no records of Harp making the above comments.

Natalie Harp doppelgänger appears on Jimmy Kimmel's show

The claim surfaced after a Harp doppelgänger, played by Kimmel’s real-life wife and head writer, Molly McNearney, appeared on the show imitating Trump’s 35-year-old assistant. 

The doppelgänger appeared on screen carrying a golf set, a briefcase, and a laptop, crying, “I can’t see you backstage!” She went on to say, “I can’t hear you backstage. I cannot smell you backstage."

"I can’t wipe you backstage. I’m here to serve you. Have you even seen my tattoo? I am not a backstage girl. I want to be right here. Your wife doesn’t deserve you!” 

The show was met with laughter and applause from the audience.