White House attacks CNN reporter over question about Trump aide

The White House on Monday sharply criticised CNN reporter Kristen Holmes after she questioned President Donald Trump about his relationship with aide Natalie Harp, marking the latest public clash between the administration and a female journalist.

During an Oval Office event honouring a teenage lifeguard who rescued a child from dangerous waves, Holmes asked Trump about remarks made by Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff concerning Harp, 35, one of the president’s aides.

The White House Rapid Response account responded on X by accusing Holmes of asking a “disgusting and inhumane question” and warning that her children might one day see it.

Trump later confronted Holmes again when she attempted to ask a question about North Korea, calling her “very disrespectful” and accusing her of being “fake news.”

“You’re a loud, boisterous person, you’re fake news, be quiet,” Trump told the reporter.

CNN strongly defended Holmes, saying the attacks were “beneath the office” and that it stood firmly behind its correspondent.

The dispute followed growing online speculation about Harp, who has become one of the aides frequently seen alongside Trump. She was reportedly among a small group of staff members present during a secret Air Force One aircraft swap in July.

Ossoff, a Democrat and potential 2028 presidential candidate, had criticised Trump during a campaign speech, accusing him of focusing on building a White House ballroom and travelling with Harp rather than doing his job.

Trump dismissed Ossoff as a “Pee-wee Herman lookalike” and defended plans for a reported $400 million White House ballroom, but did not directly address the comments about Harp.

The White House subsequently criticised Holmes for raising the issue during the lifeguard ceremony, accusing her of using the event to take a “cheap shot” at a Trump staffer.

Harp, a former television news personality, is often seen alongside Trump and has been nicknamed the “human printer” for providing him with printed information.

Her relationship with Trump has also been discussed in the recently published book Regime Change, in which two New York Times reporters described her as deeply loyal to the president.

White House Communications Director Steven Cheung had earlier attacked Ossoff over his remarks about Harp, using an offensive internet term to describe the senator.