The rumor gained traction against the backdrop of ongoing public interest in Natalie Harp’s near-constant presence alongside Donald Trump.
WASHINGTON, DC: Amid mounting discussion and criticism regarding President Donald Trump’s close working relationship with White House aide Natalie Harp, a viral social media narrative alleged that the president publicly defended her for leaking nuclear codes on Instagram. Naturally, the extraordinary nature of the allegation raised immediate doubts, leading to a thorough investigation into its validity.
The Rumor: Did Donald Trump back Natalie Harp over a nuclear code leak?
According to widely shared posts on X, Harp supposedly uploaded screenshots of classified U.S. nuclear codes to her Instagram account, complete with decorative heart and smiley-face emojis. The posts claimed this blunder triggered severe backlash from national security experts and prompted a defense from the commander-in-chief.
Supposedly, Trump remarked, “Despite what the fake news says, Natalie is doing an amazing job,” adding jokingly, “That post got millions of likes, from places as far away as Russia, China, and Iran.”
The hoax also falsely attributed a quote to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, which read: “The world is safer if she has the nuclear codes and he doesn’t.”
While numerous social media users accepted the story at face value, others quickly questioned its credibility.
Reality Check: The story stems from satire
As it turns out, the entire claim is completely fabricated. There is zero evidence that Harp ever published nuclear secrets online, nor did the president ever issue a defense regarding such an incident. Furthermore, the statements attributed to both Trump and the Canadian prime minister are entirely fictitious.
An event of this magnitude—involving classified state secrets shared on social media by a top aide—would undoubtedly dominate global news cycles, sparking intense political fallout and widespread condemnation.
Instead, the origin of the claim can be traced back to ‘The Borowitz Report,’ a well-known platform recognized for publishing satirical and exaggerated stories designed for comedic effect.
Heightened attention on Natalie Harp’s proximity to Trump
Natalie Harp, executive assistant to President Donald Trump, at Dover Air Force Base (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
The circulation of this satire coincides with a period of heightened curiosity surrounding Harp’s near-constant proximity to the president, her extensive access to his daily schedule, and her involvement in managing his digital communications.
Recent photographs, including viral images featuring both her and Melania Trump, have thrust Harp back into the media spotlight.
Administration officials have pushed back against the criticism, characterizing Harp as a dedicated and industrious asset to the president’s inner circle.
Within political circles, she is frequently referred to as the “human printer,” responsible for keeping Trump supplied with hard copies of news articles, online commentary, and briefing materials. News reports have also highlighted her presence on high-profile excursions, such as accompanying Trump on a secure flight from Turkey last month.