Fox News descends into chaos as panelist accused of 'clutching pearls' over Natalie Harp
Fox News descends into chaos as panelist accused of 'clutching pearls' over Natalie Harp
Scarlett O'TooleFri, August 21, 2026 at 10:39 AM UTC
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Hugh Hewitt was criticized on Fox News -Credit:Fox News
A Fox News panelist was accused of "clutching pearls" as he jumped in to defend Donald Trump's beloved assistant, Natalie Harp.
The 35-year-old has been in the spotlight in recent weeks, with her close relationship to President Trump facing intense scrutiny. A bombshell new report claimed Harp is so dedicated to Trump she spent a summer living inside a locker room at his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey, so she could stay near to him.
Reports have also suggested she leaves personal notes for the president to find, including one which read, "You are all that matters to me." The panelists on Fox News' Special Report discussed Harp's relationship with Trump on Thursday night, August 20.
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Former congressman Patrick Murphy clashed with right-wing radio host Hugh Hewitt as they discussed comments made by Jon Ossoff about Harp. The Georgia senator called out her relationship with Trump during a rally in Atlanta last Sunday, August 16.
"[Trump] doesn't want to do the job. He wants to build his ballroom and travel with Natalie on their apparently defenseless flying palace gifted by the Emir of Qatar," Ossoff told the crowd.
The Fox News panelists discussed the latest -Credit:Fox News
Murphy admitted he didn't see a problem with Ossoff's remarks. He explained, "I think Jon Ossoff is his own man, and I think there are a lot of folks in the White House that have their panties in a bunch because the truth hurts."
The former under secretary of the Army continued, "That's what Jon Ossoff said. The truth hurts, and I think there are a lot of folks that are relooking at what’s going on right now and not happy about it, I’ll say that."
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Hewitt, however, didn't agree and fumed, "What Patrick just said — and I’ve got to correct him — is not [true]. Natalie Harp is absolutely above board. Jon Ossoff, what he said was repulsive. He had been repudiated by David Axelrod and other serious Democrats. He should apologize."
The 70-year-old didn't have a chance to finish, however, as Murphy shot back, "Time out. Hugh: President Trump left his secretary of state and his secretary of the treasury back in Turkey to take a different plane."
His comments referred to reports President Trump used White House staff and reporters as "decoys" so he could escape a security threat. It's been claimed that when the 80-year-old left Turkey after the NATO summit, he was hidden inside an airport catering cart before being transferred to a classified military aircraft.
The secret move came following intelligence warnings about a possible assassination plot by Iran, a senior U.S. official said. It's believed Trump was joined on the second plane by Harp, as well as Director of Oval Office operations Walt Nauta and Deputy Chief of Staff Dan Scavino. Not present on the second plane were Secretary of State Marco Rubio or Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
Natalie Harp is often close by the president -Credit:AFP via Getty Images
Hewitt said on Fox News, "Natalie Harp has not had any relationship with the president. It’s disgusting... To insinuate that is disgusting!." However, Murphy pointed out, "He didn't say that," before the pair spoke over one another.
Murphy then added, "He just said he went on a plane with her. Listen, I know you’re clutching your pearls, but it’s a little rich after the last 10 years." He also tried to get his fellow panelist to acknowledge Trump’s flight with Harp, but Hewitt avoided the question.
Instead, he said, "She is a close aide, and if you are going to deal with misogynistic lies, shame on you and the Democratic Party." A clip of the Fox News clip was shared on X, where viewers rushed to share their thoughts.
Hugh Hewitt clashed with Patrick Murphy -Credit:Fox News
"Hewitt seems to have forgotten the golden rule of political television: If you’re going to call something a lie, you might want to answer the question that came before it," one person suggested.
They added, "Instead, we got outrage, pearl-clutching and “she’s just a close aide.” Well… that cleared up absolutely nothing," while someone else commented, "So let me get this straight: We, the taxpayers, pay Natalie Harp to chase after Trump on golf courses, write him love notes, print out good press about him, and send hateful tweets? We’re paying for that?"
A third Fox News viewer added, "Natalie who is with him far more than his wife is with him at all hours of the late night and early morning . Hmmm."
Source: “AOL Breaking”
