CNN has drawn sharp criticism for what many see as a new low in political journalism. On her program "OutFront," anchor Erin Burnett interviewed Preston Harp, the estranged brother of Natalie Harp, a Trump aide recently thrust into the spotlight after Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-GA) hinted at an inappropriate relationship between Harp and the president.
Preston Harp is not a public figure, has no direct knowledge of his sister's interactions with President Trump, and is openly estranged from her. Those facts alone, critics argue, make him a highly questionable choice for a national news interview. The segment veered into gossipy territory as Preston described his sister's alleged "infatuation" with Trump, a term Burnett repeatedly pressed him to elaborate on.
The optics were widely condemned as sleazy and unethical. "It's just bad form, and awkward, to induce family members of public figures to criticize them, unless they're telling us something we need to know and couldn't have learned any other way," wrote Robby Soave, co-host of The Hill's commentary show "Rising" and senior editor at Reason Magazine, in a column that echoed the sentiments of many media observers.
Soave argued that the interview was designed to leave viewers with the impression that there might be something inappropriate between Harp and Trump, despite no evidence to support such claims. He called the tactic "projection and innuendo" and questioned the ethics of involving a family member in such a narrative.
The criticism extends beyond the interview itself. Julie Brown, a Miami Herald reporter known for her coverage of the Epstein case, referred to Harp as Trump's "side piece" on social media, drawing further condemnation. In response, conservative activist Laura Loomer defended Harp, writing on X: "According to the media, being loyal to your boss is an 'unhealthy obsession.' Everyone should wish they had an executive assistant as dedicated as Natalie Harp. Natalie is great. These stories will only make POTUS like her more. The media is beyond desperate."
The controversy comes amid broader scrutiny of media coverage of the Trump administration. Earlier, Eric Trump hit back at CNN over its focus on Harp, accusing the network of fabricating stories. The network's decision to air the interview with Preston Harp has also drawn comparisons to other instances where media outlets have relied on estranged family members to advance narratives, a practice that many consider ethically fraught.
Soave, in his column, stressed that if there were credible evidence of misconduct, the story would be newsworthy. But in the absence of any such evidence, he argued, the interview amounts to a smear campaign. "It's unethical for a journalist to try to leave her viewers with the impression that maybe there's reason to think this young woman is having an affair with her boss, the president of the United States," he wrote.
The incident has also reignited debates about the role of family members in political coverage. While interviews with relatives can sometimes provide unique insights, using an estranged sibling to criticize a public figure without firsthand knowledge is widely seen as crossing a line. Media critics are calling on news organizations to exercise greater restraint and avoid fueling unsubstantiated speculation.
For now, the fallout continues, with many questioning whether CNN's decision to air the interview will have lasting consequences for its credibility. As Soave put it, "They just can't help themselves."
