Natalie Harp's growing closeness to Trump is becoming a bigger White House story

WASHINGTON, DC: Natalie Harp, the 35-year-old White House aide known for rarely being far from President Donald Trump, is facing fresh scrutiny as reports about her access to the president and her role in his social-media operation draw renewed attention.

Recent photographs have also put Harp back in the public spotlight, including images shared online involving her and First Lady Melania Trump.

However, the images do not establish the dynamics or motives behind the encounters.

The aide who rarely leaves Trump

Harp is officially a special assistant and executive assistant to the president, but her role has drawn attention because of her frequent presence at Trump's side.

She has been known within Trump's orbit as the “human printer” for supplying him with printed articles, social-media posts and other material.

Recent reporting has described Harp as one of the president's closest aides.

Reports have documented her accompanying Trump on official trips and visits to his golf properties, including a secure flight from Turkey last month.

Her role in Trump's online voice

Harp's involvement with Trump's social-media accounts has also become a focus.

Reporting has shown Trump dictating posts while Harp types them, and she has been described as helping manage material that appears on his accounts.

The issue intensified after reports said Harp supplied Trump with a video depicting former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama as apes before it was posted to Truth Social.

The White House has defended Harp as a loyal and hardworking member of the president's team.

Questions grow over White House access

Harp's role became a political talking point this month after Democratic Sen Jon Ossoff mentioned her during a campaign event, prompting a sharp response from the White House.

The attention has also focused on the executive assistant's work before joining the administration, including her time in conservative television.

Photos add to public fascination

The latest photographs have added to that interest.

Online accounts recently highlighted images showing Harp near Trump during an outing and another showing Melania leaving the presidential suite as Harp entered the room.

Those posts have generated speculation about the dynamics inside Trump's circle, but neither the photographs nor the social-media claims establish why the women arrived or left when they did.

The images have nevertheless added to public interest in Harp, whose growing visibility around the president has drawn renewed attention online.