A "true, pure patriot" is how Donald Trump’s new press secretary, Katie Zacharia, has described the president’s executive assistant, Natalie Harp.
Appointed on October 9 and beginning her role on October 12, Zacharia has appeared regularly on Fox News, Newsmax and other outlets as a legal and political commentator.
In a post on Truth Social, the president said that Zacharia "has been a loyal and brilliant supporter, right from the beginning. She is, likewise, a devoted fan and member of MAGA!"
Zacharia later thanked Trump for the appointment in a post on X where she wrote: "Serving President Trump and the American people at this critical 250-year mark is the honor of a lifetime. President Trump has shown America that we can be great again, and he works to effectuate that greatness every single day."
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What Has Katie Zacharia Said About Natalie Harp?
As Zacharia steps into the top job in White House communications, one of Trump's longest-serving and most loyal aides continues to draw attention—35-year-old Natalie Harp.
Once dubbed the "human printer," Harp is trusted with writing and publishing Trump’s Truth Social posts and has become a key part of the presidential entourage.
She was thrust further into the spotlight in August when Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff name-checked her during a viral speech saying Trump wanted to "build his ballroom and travel with Natalie" rather than do the job of president.
During an interview with News24 Digital presenter Gabriella Power, Zacharia mounted a forceful defense of Harp.
"Natalie Harp is a true, pure patriot. She absolutely loves this country and serves the president in a capacity that many others cannot and will not," Zacharia said in the interview.
She said that many people in Washington are busy seeking their next job or building a career, but added "that’s not the case of Natalie Harp," characterizing her motivation as being "truly to serve" because "she does love her country."
Zacharia also criticized Ossoff and media coverage of Harp.
"There just is this vitriol by the left-wing media for her," she said, adding that journalists must have been facing a "slow news cycle" when stories about Harp were published. "They're making something up out of thin air on Natalie Harp," she said.
She added that Ossoff "knew exactly what he was doing" with his comment about Harp, adding, "I think he wanted to set off this firestorm for her and for the president."
Zacharia's predecessor, Karoline Leavitt, also defended Harp shortly before leaving the White House in August.
"Natalie Harp has a security clearance like everyone else, and she is a loyal and hardworking member of President Trump’s team," she said.
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Who Is Katie Zacharia?
Zacharia has served as senior communications adviser to Trump Media and Technology Group since June 2026, according to her LinkedIn profile, and before that was a deputy assistant secretary and spokesperson for former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
Zacharia has both a law degree and bachelor’s degree from Pepperdine University in Malibu, and her early political experience included internships at the Republican National Committee and the White House Office of Political Affairs in 2006.
Trump said last week that Zacharia had previously been involved in supporting his political campaigns.
"She was previously involved in my campaigns, assisting in key swing states, where we won 7 out of 7. She has an unblemished record of support, and has been a loyal and brilliant supporter, right from the beginning," he said on Truth Social.
A self-described "lifelong conservative," Zacharia told CNN in April that she is "a huge fan of ICE and a big fan of the Border Patrol."
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Ben Kelly and Tony Phillips.