WASHINGTON, United States: Former Obama adviser David Axelrod criticised Senator Jon Ossoff’s reference to Natalie Harp in a viral campaign speech attacking President Donald Trump.
Ossoff, a Georgia Democrat, mentioned Trump’s executive assistant while criticising the president over the Iran war, military deployments and his conduct in office.
However, Axelrod said on X that the broader speech was a strong attack but argued the words “with Natalie” were “gratuitous and unnecessary.”
He said the reference distracted from Ossoff’s main political message, even as the campaign clip drew more than 6 million views on X.
Rep. Mike Collins is torching Sen. Jon Ossoff over remarks about White House aide Natalie Harp, calling them "sexist" and "misogynist" as the Georgia Senate race intensifies.
Ossoff stirred controversy at an Atlanta rally when he suggested Trump just wants to "travel with… pic.twitter.com/4ZC8mAvtpA
— Fox News Politics (@foxnewspolitics) August 20, 2026Meanwhile, Republican Representative Mike Collins, Ossoff’s opponent, also criticised the remark and accused the senator of targeting a female White House staffer for political gain.
Read: Natalie Harp, Trump Aide Draws Notice in White House Role
Some Democratic-aligned commentators disagreed. Joanne Carducci, known online as Jojofromjerz, defended the tactic and said modern political campaigning required a different approach.
Read: Melania Trump, Natalie Harp claims draw scrutiny in Washington
Ossoff later stood by his criticism during an MS NOW appearance, saying White House staffers hold public positions and exercise significant power.
