Seth Meyers turned Donald Trump’s unusually close relationship with aide Natalie Harp into a late-night comedy bit, imagining the President trying to explain her constant presence to First Lady Melania Trump. The joke arrived during Meyers’ Monday show after he first poked fun at Trump’s comments about Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Seth Meyers jokes about Donald Trump, Melania and Natalie Harp
Rather than dwell on Xi Jinping, Seth Meyers shifted the scene toward Melania Trump, imagining Donald Trump enthusiastically calling her over to discuss his recent meetings. He then deliberately muddled the subject.
He joked that Trump might ask whether Xi liked him before clarifying that he meant the Chinese leader, not Harp. “‘Mel!!! Mel, wasn’t that just like, the best two days ever?’” he said. “Do you think Xi likes me? NO! Not Natalie Harp! PRESIDENT XI. X, I,” Myers joked.
The routine eventually centered on the things Harp reportedly does around Trump. Meyers imagined the president telling Melania that she should feel “lucky” because he has Harp to handle small tasks, including “opening my umbrella” and “print off little articles” for him on a portable printer.
Harp’s role gives the joke its real-world backdrop. She works as Trump’s special assistant and executive assistant, earning $150,000 annually. The aide regularly travels with Trump, manages much of his social media activity, and supplies him with favorable material through her portable printer.
That visibility has also placed Harp under growing scrutiny. As per The Daily Beast, her closeness to Trump has concerned senior administration officials and the Secret Service. In addition, Trump has described Harp as unusually devoted to him, telling aides that her affection rivals what he receives from his wife and children.
Reports have also brought Melania into the picture, with claims that she has reacted negatively to the growing closeness between Trump and Harp. CNN cited a Republican with ties to the White House who said the First Lady was deeply troubled by the situation. Separately, Trump biographer Michael Wolff has alleged that Melania sometimes skips public events when she knows Harp will also be in attendance.
