A journalist known for tracking President Donald Trump’s activities online has faced backlash after criticizing a female Trump staffer. Aaron Rupar, who describes himself as a leftist, shared a video on his social media account. The clip showed Trump greeting family members next to Air Force 1 before leaving Ireland. In his post, Rupar commented on a White House press wrangler’s actions, who was directing the media to leave the area.
Press wranglers manage media movement around the president, ensuring the schedule is maintained. They play a critical role in both Republican and Democrat administrations. The White House defended the staffer, stating she was performing her duties effectively. The video and Rupar’s remarks gained attention online, sparking responses from various users.
The White House’s response criticized Rupar, pointing out that his comments were inappropriate. They labeled him as someone who makes troubling comments about women. In response, Rupar claimed the White House was inciting harassment against him, mentioning his age as part of their argument.
Rupar had previously posted about another White House aide, Natalie Harp, and suggested an inappropriate relationship with Trump without evidence. The White House dismissed these insinuations, emphasizing that aides typically travel with the president. Rupar’s posts and hashtags have drawn significant criticism from the White House, who responded strongly to his allegations.
During a campaign event, Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., mentioned the gossip about Trump and Harp, which his Republican opponent called sexist and misogynist. Ossoff suggested that Trump was more interested in traveling than working. The White House and critics have continued to defend the staffers involved, denouncing the speculative comments made by Rupar and others.