WASHINGTON: The White House has sharply criticised CNN reporter Kristen Holmes after she questioned US President Donald Trump about his relationship with White House aide Natalie Harp, triggering another public clash between the administration and a female journalist.
The confrontation occurred during an Oval Office event honouring a teenage lifeguard who had rescued a child from dangerous waves. Trump opened the event to questions on a range of issues, as he has frequently done during similar appearances.
Holmes asked Trump about comments made by Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff regarding the president’s relationship with his executive assistant, Natalie Harp, 35. Ossoff had recently criticised Trump in a campaign speech and referred to Harp while questioning the president’s priorities.
The White House’s Rapid Response account responded to Holmes on X, accusing the reporter of asking an inappropriate question. The account posted a video of Trump’s response and told Holmes that her children would one day encounter what it described as her “disgusting and inhumane question.”
Trump later confronted Holmes again when she attempted to ask about North Korea. The president called the reporter “very disrespectful” and accused her of being “fake news,” while telling her to remain quiet.
“You’re a loud, boisterous person, you’re fake news, be quiet,” Trump said during the exchange.
CNN strongly defended Holmes and condemned the White House’s criticism. The network described the attacks as being beneath the dignity of the presidency and said it stood firmly behind its reporter.
The dispute comes amid continuing tensions between the Trump administration and members of the White House press corps, with journalists frequently facing criticism from the president and his communications team over questions and reporting.
Natalie Harp has recently attracted increased attention on social media after reports emerged that she was among a small number of aides who accompanied Trump during a secret Air Force One aircraft swap in July.
Ossoff, a Democratic senator and potential 2028 presidential candidate, mentioned Harp during a campaign speech on Sunday. He accused Trump of being more interested in building a ballroom and travelling with Harp than focusing on his presidential responsibilities.
Trump dismissed Ossoff by comparing his appearance to the fictional character Pee-wee Herman and defended plans for a reported $400 million ballroom at the White House. The president did not directly address the comments about Harp.
The White House subsequently criticised Holmes for raising the issue during an event intended to recognise the teenage lifeguard.
The Rapid Response account accused the CNN reporter of using an event honouring a hero to make what it called a “cheap shot” at a presidential staff member. The post also used strong language to attack Holmes and her reporting.
The confrontation has renewed debate over the increasingly hostile relationship between the Trump administration and sections of the US media. CNN said its reporter was simply performing her journalistic duties and reiterated its support for Holmes.
The latest clash also highlights the challenges faced by White House reporters as they attempt to question the president about politically sensitive issues during public events. While Trump frequently allows questions outside the main subject of an event, his exchanges with reporters can quickly become confrontational.
The White House and CNN remain sharply divided over the incident, with the administration defending the president and its communications team while CNN maintains that Holmes should not have been subjected to personal attacks for asking a question.
