White House aide Natalie Huff, considered one of President Donald Trump's closest staffers, draws attention in Washington as the November midterm elections approach. [AFP]
White House aide Natalie Huff, considered one of President Donald Trump's closest staffers, draws attention in Washington as the November midterm elections approach. [AFP]

Natalie Huff, 35, a White House aide widely regarded as one of President Donald Trump's closest staffers, has emerged as a flashpoint in American politics ahead of the November midterm elections.

The spotlight fell on her after Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-GA), who is seeking reelection, invoked her name while criticizing Trump and highlighting the pair's close relationship — prompting a fierce pushback from the White House.

At a campaign rally in Georgia on Sunday, Ossoff took aim at Trump, saying "he doesn't want to do the work," according to the Wall Street Journal and other outlets.

He went on to say Trump "just wants to build his ballroom and fly around with Natalie on the indefensible-looking 'flying palace' gifted by Qatar." The reference to "Natalie" was directed at Huff.

The White House fired back immediately, unleashing a torrent of criticism at Ossoff.

White House communications director Steven Cheung took to X the following day to sharply rebuke the senator, saying that instead of "denigrating hardworking people who dedicate themselves to this country, he should look deep into his own soul and ask himself why he has become such a miserable person who hates this nation."

The dispute over Huff quickly spilled into a broader confrontation between Trump and the press.

When CNN reporter Kristen Holmes asked Trump at the White House on Tuesday for his response to Ossoff's remarks, Trump mocked the senator by comparing him to Pee-wee Herman, the well-known American comedy character.

As Holmes continued with further questions, Trump cut her off with "be quiet" and attacked her, saying "you're a fake journalist and you report fake news."

The White House's official rapid-response X account joined in, posting a clip of Holmes asking about Ossoff and calling it "a disgraceful and humiliating embarrassment to the profession she claims to be part of."

The account went further, writing that "someday your children will come across the disgusting, dehumanizing questions you asked" and that "they will be horrified and ashamed that their parent is such a heartless and vindictive person."

In response, CNN issued a statement defending Holmes, saying she had asked "tough but fair questions on behalf of the American people," and added that "personally attacking a journalist for asking questions is beneath the dignity of a public official and inconsistent with the principles of a free press."

White House aide Natalie Huff steps off Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on Sunday. [AP]
White House aide Natalie Huff steps off Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on Sunday. [AP]

The Wall Street Journal noted that the White House's aggressive counterattack illustrated how far Trump is willing to go to protect Huff.

The paper described her as "one of the most important aides in the White House, largely unknown outside Washington."

Huff first connected with Trump after publicly crediting his Right to Try Act — signed in 2018 to allow terminally ill patients access to unapproved treatments — with enabling her to receive treatment for bone cancer. She later worked as a host on the pro-Trump network One America News before joining his staff.

She earned the nickname "human printer" for her habit of regularly printing out news articles and social media posts and handing them directly to Trump, according to the British daily The Independent.

In recent years she has also been involved in drafting Trump's Truth Social posts, serving as a key conduit for information reaching the president and earning a reputation as a gatekeeper of access to him, according to reports.

Her standing was on display during Trump's recent secret aircraft swap.

Trump had secretly transferred from Air Force One to a separate US military aircraft while in Turkey, due to a potential Iranian assassination threat. Huff was among the handful of aides who made the move with him.

Neither Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the top-ranking cabinet official, nor Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, the second-ranking, was on that transport aircraft — only a tight circle of confidants including Huff, White House deputy chief of staff Dan Scavino and director Walt Nauta.

The "flying palace" Ossoff referenced is a Boeing 747-8 donated to the US government by Qatar. The aircraft has been in service as the presidential plane since July, following modifications.

New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman, in a recent interview with MSNBC, described Huff as a kind of "comfort blanket" who provides Trump with emotional stability.

Haberman made the remark while explaining why Trump brought Huff along during the secret aircraft swap, calling her Trump's "binky" — the object a young child turns to for comfort and reassurance.


mokiya@heraldcorp.com