A Trump administration insider has drawn attention to the amount of time senior aide Natalie Harp spends with President Trump, a claim that has fed into a heated row over what critics say is sexist coverage of women working closely with the president. The remark has amplified scrutiny of Harp's role and access within the White House, with defenders arguing the criticism reflects a double standard applied to female aides that male staffers in similar positions rarely face.

The dispute centres on Harp, a former television anchor turned Trump loyalist known for her close proximity to the president during public appearances, after the insider's comment that she is with him "a lot" was seized upon amid broader commentary about her influence. The report frames the exchange as part of a wider "sexism brawl" within Trump's orbit, though it offers limited detail on the specific comments, their original source, or any official response from the White House.