AI-altered photo posted by Trump shows Xi's US welcome with only Natalie Harp in background

A photo posted to Truth Social showing Donald Trump greeting Chinese President Xi Jinping appears to have digitally removed both first ladies, leaving only Natalie Harp visible on the tarmac.

President Donald Trump posted what appears to be an AI-generated image of his airport welcome for Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday, in which several attendees were digitally erased, leaving what appears to be close aide Natalie Harp. 

The image, shared on Truth Social, shows Trump saluting beside a newly arrived Xi on the tarmac at Joint Base Andrews as a military jet passes overhead.

Footage of the actual event showed Trump and Xi were joined at the event by First Lady Melania Trump and Chinese First Lady Peng Liyuan.

In the posted image, the two men appear to stand alone, with the first ladies either cropped out or obscured.

Neither the White House nor Trump has commented on the image.

Who is Natalie Harp, Trump's 'closest' aide?

Natalie Harp is a close aide to Trump who has become a near-constant presence at his side since he returned to office. 

A former on-air host for the pro-Trump outlet Real America's Voice, Harp joined Trump's orbit during his 2024 campaign and has since held a role often described as his personal aide, managing his schedule, paperwork, and access to reporters and visitors.

She also drew scrutiny for her closeness to Trump and the degree of access she has to him, with some reports that described tension among other staff over her influence.

Harp has often been seen standing just behind or beside Trump at public appearances, fueling speculation that she was the aide visible in the AI-altered image Trump posted of his meeting with Xi Jinping.