Jon Ossoff Faces Natalie Harp Backlash
A Natalie Harp joke by Jon Ossoff drew GOP attacks and Rosie O’Donnell commentary.
5 left0 center8 right
Updated Aug 20, 8:05pm ETBoth sides, every morning
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The reporting
Sen. Jon Ossoff rejected White House and Republican criticism after joking at a Sunday re-election rally in Atlanta that President Donald Trump prefers traveling with aide Natalie Harp to doing his job. Harp is a 35-year-old White House executive assistant and personal aide who has publicly credited Trump’s Right to Try law with helping her access cancer treatment. Rep. Mike Collins, Ossoff’s Republican Senate opponent in Georgia, called the remark sexist and misogynist. Rosie O’Donnell added a separate Harp joke while guest-hosting Jimmy Kimmel Live on Wednesday night.
Analysis & opinion
Trump OverreactionMostly Left
The Trump White House and its allies responded far too aggressively to jokes and jabs about Natalie Harp. Their outrage made the controversy look bigger than it was and, if anything, helped the attack land politically.
Crude Harp AttacksMostly Right
The remarks about Natalie Harp were vulgar, unfair, and inappropriate personal attacks. Jon Ossoff’s innuendo in particular crossed into sexist or misogynistic territory rather than legitimate criticism.
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