3 min readNew DelhiAug 24, 2026 09:31 PM IST

US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump’s brief discussion during the Freedom 250 Grand Prix in Washington, DC, on Sunday has set off a debate among netizens. A video of the couple appeared to show Melania leaving the viewing booth, while the President’s executive assistant, Natalie Harp, watched the race from the VIP box amid the recent public scrutiny regarding her close working relationship with the Republican leader.

The brief clip, which has since gone viral, shows Trump and Melania sitting together as the US President leans towards the First Lady, appearing to talk to her. A few seconds later, Melania is seen getting up and walking away from the viewing booth of the Freedom 250 Grand Prix, which was reportedly being held for the first time in Washington, DC, British online news publication The Independent reported.

Trump takes lap in ‘The Beast’

The IndyCar race event was organised by the White House-affiliated Freedom 250, created at Trump’s direction in order to mark America’s 250th anniversary.

The US President took a quick lap around the circuit in the presidential vehicle known as “The Beast” and waved the green flag to start the race.

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Natalie Harp spotted in VIP stands

Trump’s aide Harp, 35, has been in the news over her close working relationship with the president, and she was present in the inner circle’s viewing stands at the Grand Prix.

According to The Independent, Harp was spotted with Trump over the weekend as she joined the President on a golf trip at his Virginia club.

Harp seen with Eric Trump

In the video, Harp was seen interacting with the president’s second-eldest son, Eric Trump, ahead of the race at the Grand Prix as she sat a few rows behind President Trump and Melania as the race got underway.

Eric Trump had earlier supported Harp, calling the White House aide “an incredible young woman” after her brother criticised her “obsession” with President Trump. In a post on social media, Eric wrote, “She’s deeply committed to my father, to her job, and to this country.”

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