President Donald Trump made light of Melania Trump’s absence during his arrival in Ireland, while controversial adviser Natalie Harp remained close at hand as he entered the ambassador’s residence.
Speaking to guests, Trump drew a strong reaction after explaining why the first lady had opted not to make the Ireland trip with him.
Soon after touching down in Dublin at 8.23am local time, the president turned his wife’s decision to stay behind into a joke while addressing the crowd.
Trump said Melania was with the group “in spirit” and described her as being “very friendly” with Ireland’s ambassador.
He said he had invited the first lady to accompany him, but recalled her teasing response: “Well, it’s a seven-hour trip. Maybe I’m not that friendly.”
The line was met with laughter and applause from the audience, including Harp, who accompanied Trump throughout the visit.
Trump is spending the weekend in Ireland for meetings with business executives and to attend the Irish Open golf tournament at his Doonbeg resort.
Following a short meeting with Irish President Catherine Connolly, Trump traveled to Deerfield Residence, the home of Irish Ambassador Edward Walsh, where he delivered remarks to local business leaders.
Donald Trump joked that Melania Trump passed on the Ireland visit because “it’s a seven-hour trip.”
Melania Trump did not travel to Ireland with her husband, though she attended Friday’s Pentagon ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks.
Natalie Harp, who has made headlines recently for her relationship to the president, was in attendance during his trip to Ireland
The ambassador’s residence was decked out with a red carpet as the president waltzed in for his remarks.
Among those he was seen greeting was Harp, his executive assistant, who has made headlines in recent weeks.
Harp is a former One America News host who joined Trump’s team in 2022 and now serves as his personal secretary, often within a few feet of the President.
She is known as the ‘human printer’ for carrying a portable printer and supplying paper copies of news articles and social media posts throughout the day.
Trump and Harp’s bond became the center of media attention in August when Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff told a rally that Trump would rather ‘build his ballroom and travel with Natalie’ than do his job.
She wrote Trump a series of personal letters in 2023, telling him in one: ‘You are all that matters to me.’
Harp’s alleged cash gifts from the president have also raised eyebrows. A former White House ‘ethics czar’ has called for an investigation after reports that Harp and two other officials received cash from Trump.
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Harp, 35, Chamberlain Harris, 26, and Margo Martin, 31, received $135,000 between them, each identifying Trump as the source of a ‘cash gift for the holidays’.
Harp was among the President’s entourage during his visit to Ireland. She is seen above shaking hands with Ireland’s President Catherine Connolly
Harp was all smiles shaking hands with delegation members at the ambassador’s residence
Harp was seen speaking with political consultant Christopher LaCivita as they awaited Trump’s remarks
The Campaign Legal Center has filed a complaint with the US Office of Government Ethics over the president’s handouts.
‘The President has a longstanding practice of giving Christmas gifts to people in his orbit, including at times employees and aides, both in government and in his time in the private sector,’ a White House spokesperson told Politico.
‘The gifts at issue here have nothing to do with any of these individuals’ official government duties, and, therefore, are entirely permissible under relevant legal and ethical standards.’
A spokesperson for Melania Trump’s office has shut down any speculation regarding her husband’s relationship with Harp.
‘The liberal media is ridiculous,’ the First Lady’s top spokesman, Marc Beckman told host Stella Escobedo during an interview on Wednesday.
‘They don’t know anything about the First Lady’s personal and private life. They don’t even take the time to put us on air to cover these incredible achievements that our First Lady has accomplished.’
‘What they need to do is look in the mirror because they’re all attacking this hardworking, very talented, very intelligent person in Natalie Harp,’ added Beckman.
‘And they’re obsessed with the gossip with the first family. And I can tell you firsthand that it’s time for them to become journalists and stop looking at the gossip.’
Donald Trump Jr (far right) was in attendance for the Ireland trip alongside his partner Bettina Anderson (middle)
Harp was spotted shaking hands with delegates and President Catherine Connolly outside the ambassador’s residence on Saturday.
She was all smiles as she waited for Trump’s remarks and was even seen chatting with political consultant Christopher LaCivita.
The president’s sons, Eric and Donald Jr, are also attending the weekend trip. Donald Jr was seen waiting for his father’s remarks alongside his partner, Bettina Anderson at the ambassador’s residence.
The Daily Mail has reached out to the White House for comment.