The Human Printer’s Gear: Unpacking Natalie Harp’s Mobile Office
Washington D.C. – Natalie Harp, a former TV personality now serving as a presidential executive assistant, has garnered significant national attention for her close proximity to the former President. However, beyond the political intrigue, tech enthusiasts are keenly focused on a unique aspect of her role: her portable printing setup, earning her the moniker "human printer" among Trump’s staff.
Harp’s rise to prominence intensified recently following a report by the Washington Post detailing her alleged secret transfer off Air Force One in Turkey, alongside the former President, via a catering box. Further cementing her public profile was a recent remark by Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff during a campaign speech, hinting at her close relationship with Trump, which was met with notable indignation from the Trump campaign.
For technology publications like Gizmodo, the focus has shifted to Harp’s mobile printing solution. Sources, including a 2024 New York Times story, describe Harp’s consistent practice of traveling with a printer and an external battery pack to fulfill Trump’s preference for printed information. This dedication was vividly illustrated by a report of her "running behind his cart to keep him up to date with positive stories and social media posts" on a Scottish golf course.
The curiosity surrounding her gear intensified this week, raising questions about the necessity of a separate battery pack for a portable printer designed with its own internal power source, especially given the physically demanding nature of her role. Recent press pool photos on Getty Images further revealed Harp regularly carrying a colossal Osprey tote or duffel bag, prompting speculation about its contents.
An investigation into a 2024 documentary series titled The Art of the Surge: The Donald Trump Comeback finally offered a clear glimpse into Harp’s mobile workstation. The documentary footage reveals Harp utilizing an Epson WorkForce WF-110 Wireless Mobile Printer, a compact yet capable device. Notably, this printer is seen plugged into a MARBERO Portable Power Supply, alongside an additional, unidentified phone battery bank for wireless charging.
While the chosen devices appear functional, their combined bulk has raised eyebrows among tech experts. The Epson WF-110, while designed for portability, possesses its own onboard battery, rechargeable via USB or AC. Epson even offers an extended battery pack that seamlessly integrates with the printer, creating a more streamlined, single unit weighing approximately 0.55 pounds. In contrast, the MARBERO power supply alone weighs around 2 pounds, 5 ounces. Considering Harp likely also carries paper, backup ink cartridges, and a separate phone charger, the cumulative weight of her "mobile office" becomes substantial.
This extensive setup seems counterintuitive given the demanding and often unpredictable nature of Harp’s responsibilities. Reports from Vanity Fair indicate her role requires her to be constantly ready to attend to the former President at a moment’s notice, even foregoing maid’s quarters for a women’s locker room closer to Trump’s sleeping arrangements at his Bedminster golf club. The WF-110, at 4.6 pounds, already presents a considerable burden for a role demanding such nimbleness.
Furthermore, the printer’s speed – a modest 6.7 pages per minute in black and white and a sluggish 3.5 pages per minute in color – raises questions about its efficiency in a fast-paced environment where quick delivery of printed social media posts is reportedly crucial.
Given these factors, some tech analysts suggest a more optimized solution for Harp, such as a truly portable, ink-free, and significantly faster thermal printer like the Brother PJ-883, which boasts blistering print speeds.
Beyond the weight and speed considerations, observations from the documentary highlight other inefficiencies in Harp’s setup. The "cord spaghetti" seen in the Mar-A-Lago conference room footage is a source of concern, especially since the Epson printer offers Bluetooth connectivity, potentially eliminating the need for some wired connections. It’s also noted that printing X (formerly Twitter) posts directly from a phone, while sometimes less intuitive, could bypass the need for a MacBook entirely.
Ultimately, Harp’s current mobile office setup, while functional, is seen as excessively bulky and ripe for optimization. The sheer volume of equipment she carries could prove a hindrance in the future, particularly if the Trump team continues its penchant for unexpected and unconventional situations.
Gizmodo has reached out to the White House for confirmation regarding Harp’s specific devices and any potential upgrades but has not yet received a response.
