By Karim Hammam
White House executive assistant Natalie Harp has begun screening incoming calls to President Donald Trump's personal mobile phone, according to multiple journalists who have attempted to reach him in recent days.
Change in Accessibility
For months, the White House had emphasized Trump's accessibility, noting that reporters could directly dial his personal number for interviews at any hour. However, as the president's approval ratings declined and his party faced significant losses in the midterm elections, Harp — long known as Trump's "human printer" for providing favorable news coverage — appears to have assumed gatekeeping duties.
Journalists Describe New Protocol
Several reporters told The Independent that calls to Trump's known personal number are now answered by a young woman who demands to identify the caller before connecting them. Politico's Dasha Burns recorded such an interaction during an election-night live stream, and the voice matches Harp's from previous public appearances. One longtime White House correspondent said he was only put through after Trump overheard his introduction and instructed Harp to allow the call.
Expanded Influence
The screening role marks an expansion of Harp's influence over the president's information flow. Reports indicate she has facilitated Trump's connections with controversial figures such as activist Laura Loomer over staff objections and was involved in the decision to bar CNN, MSNBC, and Politico from the White House in September. Harp, who reportedly manages Trump's Truth Social account, has recently moved from her desk outside the Oval Office to his private dining room, where she continues to print news articles and documents for his review.
