If you’ve been paying attention to politics at all this week, then you’ve probably encountered the strange saga of Natalie Harp.
In case you somehow haven’t heard, Harp is an aide to Donald Trump, and the relationship between boss and employee is currently the subject of widespread scrutiny.
Now, letters that Hart wrote to Trump have leaked to the press — and saying that these two have had some unconventional workplace interactions would be putting it very mildly.
U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, executive assistant to U.S. President Donald Trump Natalie Harp and U.S. President Donald Trump attend a dignified transfer at Dover Air Force Base on July 22, 2026 in Dover, Delaware. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
One of the letters concerns some snafus that took place during Trump’s recent trip to Scotland.
The trouble began when Harp called Trump’s cell phone after she “panicked” at the airport. The situation got worse when she breached etiquette on the golf course.
“I panicked, and should have just called Secret Service instead of you. I also am sorry if I was an embarrassment walking the course in Scotland,” Harp wrote (via The Daily Beast), adding:
“The first day I was told there were no carts, and people walked, which is why I walked. The second day, I was specifically asked by, I forget who his name was, but one of the main people who worked there, if I could continue walking, and tell any other girls who would head out there to do the same to spare the Course any more Carts.
“If there is anything else I have done to cause you trouble, please forgive me. I know that some people have said I haven’t been texting them back, and there have been some International cell issues (John was having technical issues on the Plane too, so asked me to help him out).”
Harp really leaned into the apology in the second half of the letter, at one point referring to the president as her “Guardian and Protector in this Life.”
(Harp reportedly writes much of Trump’s social media content, which may explain all of the odd capitalization choices in those posts.)
“I want things to always be right between us. I also know I’ve been distracted all week (forgetting to eat throughout the days, and even forgetting to sleep, and only catching a couple hours at a time),” she wrote in the letter.
She went on to explain how frightened she was at the prospect of losing Trump’s “good opinion.”
“That is the fear you see, because I never want to bring you anything but joy. I’m sorry I lost my focus. You are all that matters to me. I don’t want to ever let you down,” she wrote, adding:
“Thank you for being my Guardian and Protector in this Life—That’s what I wanted to use this card for, when you saw me at the Cash Register, and once again did what you didn’t have to do, and gifted me with Mementos of this Trip of a Lifetime, a Coming of Age.
“I will return a better person. I have to sign off now, as the cars are leaving. See you soon.”
Natalie has been nicknamed the Human Printer because she follows Trump around with a portable printer and hands him favorable press articles to read.
So you can bet that she printed up her letters and personally handed them to the president. But whether or not he actually read them is a different story.
The Big Boss isn’t exactly famous for his attention span.
Sometimes, all it takes is a drive down a familiar road back home to bring the past rushing back. John Morgan captures that feeling in his brand-new song “Once in a Mile,” which turns a stretch of highway into a trip down memory lane filled with reflections of young love, old memories and the place he once called home.
The hit songwriter tells Country Now that he is slowly building out his next album, with hopes of releasing it sometime in 2027. Until then, he plans to continue rolling out songs that offer a preview of this next chapter, and “Once in a Mile” serves as the latest glimpse into what’s ahead.
Co-written by Morgan with his producer Brent Anderson, the new tune was born from a Zoom writing session with they were both snowed into their homes last winter. Anderson had a “really cool idea” and wasn’t about to let the weather stop them from bringing it to life.
John Morgan; Photo by Matthew Berinato
“He called me and he’s like, ‘Can’t get out of my driveway but I have a really cool idea. I want you to hear it.’ I’m like, ‘Man, let’s hop on Zoom.’ So we actually got on Zoom and wrote the song in probably two and a half hours or something like that. It was one of the fastest songs I’ve written. I’m not usually a quick writer, but it just kind of fell out,” Morgan recalled.
The “Friends Like That” singer connected with the concept on a personal level, drawing from his own experiences of returning home to North Carolina and suddenly feeling transported back to his younger days. Driving through familiar places brought back memories of all the fun he had growing up, the shows he played early in his career and the moments that still come rushing back whenever he returns.
“That’s kind of where that song came from. I love it. It’s probably my favorite off this new album we just cut. I’m just excited to get some new stuff out,” Morgan added.
John Morgan; Once In A Mile
Listeners will hear the mid-tempo track channeling that same feeling through the story of an old relationship, with familiar roads triggering memories of being young and in love, from hearing “Boys of Summer” on the radio to passing the places where the couple once spent time together. Each mile brings another emotion to the surface, while also offering a bittersweet sentiment as he wonders what this woman of his past been up to in all these years they’ve been apart.
“Because here I go/ Back in time/ When we were young/ When we were us/ And you were mine/ They’re playing ‘Boys of Summer’ on that radio dial/ There goes that spot where we’re parked and left our clothes in a pile/ And that one red light I’d run to see that green eyed smile/ I only think about you baby/ Every Once in a mile,” he sings.
The song leans into a traditional country sound with hard-hitting instrumentation, and a steady mid-tempo beat, creating the kind of track that feels made for long drives. Morgan’s gritty, warm vocals carry the weight of every emotion, giving the memories in the lyrics an added sense of depth as they invite listeners to reflect on their own past.
John Morgan had the chance to debut “Once In A Mile” on stage of the Grand Ole Opry during his most recent performance in the revered circle. In that moment, he felt a mix of waves and excitement as the new track sets the tone for his next record.
“I think I second guessed myself when we were side stage wondering why I would debut a song on that stage. But no, we got up there and it went really well. And I think it’s just fun. There’s always just a little bit of excitement whenever you’re putting out new material for everybody. And I think that’s just part of the enjoyment, part of the nerves. A big part of the nerves is just following it up. And I think this record’s just a collection of songs that really do that, in my opinion, and ‘Once In a Mile’ is definitely the top of the list.”
With new music on the horizon, Morgan hopes fans have high expectations, because he and his team are determined to raise the bar with each new collection of songs. Last year, listeners got their hands on his debut album, Carolina Blue. Morgan says he was very proud of that record, mostly for his hands on work in pre-production, during which he wore a lot of hats in order to save some money and ensure his vision came to life properly.
“There are a lot of artists and bands coming out right now that are in the same world sonically, I think. And to me, I think it’s awesome to have session guys come in and make it sound expensive. But I think it’s fun to get in there yourself to get it right because I’m going to have to be the one playing it for the next 10 years hopefully,” he shared. “So yeah, I think we captured the same kind of thing on this record as well and didn’t stray too far from center. And we also tried a few things and I’m at a different stage in life too now where I’m writing about different stuff. I think people will enjoy it and I hope there’s something they’ll connect to on it.”
John Morgan; Carolina Blue
As he continues to write songs that capture this phase of life, Morgan says his writing process has also shifted naturally, and now finds himself wanting to add more depth to his songs.
“I think it’s just more so just trying to put a little meat in a song. I mean, I feel like you write heartbreak stuff all day, but there’s a little more to it sometimes. And I like songs that have a good storyline and just take your mind somewhere that you wouldn’t expect it to go. It’s usually my favorite. So I try to do a little bit more of that on the writing side,” he explained. “And yeah, I think naturally it’s going to relate to where I’m at in life now as opposed to six years ago when I moved to town. So it’s been cool to see that come to fruition.”
He is seeing a lot of momentum building in his career right now. On top of earning a three-week No. 1 as a writer on Jason Aldean’s “Don’t Tell On Me,” his current single “Kid Myself” is about to be Top 10.
“It’s pretty wild. You don’t know what’s going to happen with the song when you’re in the writing room and the process of making it what it is. But yeah, it’s been a long, steady climb on the charts with this song and it’s kind of stood the test of time, so to speak,” he said while reflecting on the journey of “Kid Myself.” So I’m just grateful to be in the game and it’s cool to see this one as our first single on our own.”
Plus, Morgan is looking forward to joining Brantley Gilbert on the Real American Tour this fall. He hopes to win over some new fans while sharing new music and shares he is simply just thankful to be a part of the run.
“We’re going to do our job and stay out of the way and hopefully steal some of his fans along the ride. So it’s going to be a blast. I hope people will show up and see what it’s all about.”
The trek launches on September 4 and continues through November.
Multiple women have accused him of an array of sexual misconduct, including rape.
Now, investigators have seized electronic devices from his home and person.
What’s next?
Eric Swalwell questions U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi on February 11, 2026. (Photo Credit: Win McNamee/Getty Images)
Investigators seized devices in San Francisco and in DC
On Saturday, August 15, Federal agents seized former Representative Eric Swalwell’s electronic devices while he was at the San Francisco airport.
The next day, agents raided his home in DC.
All of this, sources tell CNN, are related to an ongoing probe following sexual assault allegations against the former member of Congress.
In April, the now-disgraced former Congressman resigned and also ended his gubernatorial bid after accusations became public.
Despite the abundance of allegations, Swalwell has repeatedly denied any and all allegations of sexual assault.
In the spring, multiple outlets, including the San Francisco Chronicle, detailed allegations of sexual misconduct.
Multiple women confirmed their accounts of Swalwell having sent them unsolicited explicit messages and nude photos.
(Presumably, this is where the seizure of his electronic items becomes part of the investigation.)
One staffer reported a rape by the former congressman.
The alleged assault left her both bruised and bleeding.
This is a serious case that needs to be by-the-book
According to her account, the former staffer was heavily intoxicated when Eric Swalwell raped her.
“I was pushing him off of me, saying no,” she described.
This was in 2024 — when she was no longer working in Swalwell’s office.
“He didn’t stop,” she then reported.
Not all sexual assaults are rapes, and not all rapes result in bodily injury. These are serious allegations coming from someone who likely once believed in and supported Swalwell as a person and a politician.
Unfortunately, we have to discuss the topic of whether or not this is a politically charged investigation.
It is likely that the only reason that an incompetent clown like Kash Patel remains in charge of the FBI is because of his abject and unflinching loyalty to Donald Trump.
Trump wants every aspect of the Federal government to be a weapon that he can use to persecute his enemies.
Sometimes, that means totally bogus charges that could see prosecutors facing sanctions. Other times, it may mean going after men who have committed serious offenses.
We have to hope that possible political biases behind this investigation do not obstruct or derail what should be a by-the-book pursuit of the truth. These women deserve justice.
There may be no better way for Ian Munsick to introduce his next chapter than with an album that doubles down on exactly who he is. The Mountain Goatfinds the country star celebrating his Rocky Mountain roots through songs that bridge the gap between classic country and a modern sound.
Available today, August 21, the 15-song collection marks Munsick’s fourth studio album and his first full-length project released through West To The Rest Records/Triple Tigers Records. After parting ways with his previous label last year, Munsick and his wife, Caroline, felt drawn to create their own imprint, which led to them launching West To The Rest Records in partnership with Triple Tigers to release his new music.
“When we met with Triple Tigers, you could tell very easily that they’re a small team, but they’re all about passion. All of their team, they have like three roles each. They’re not going to hire out hundreds of employees and have 30 artists. They’re very careful about who they choose to work with. And their team is just a whole bunch of animals that they really are not afraid of hard work, which for me and my wife, our whole team has been very just do it all. And we recognized that early on,” he told Country Now.
Ian Munsick; Photo by Ben Christensen
Munsick carried that same kind of hard work ethic into making this record, just like he has done with each of his past projects. He not only co-produced the album, but also played nine different instruments, including acoustic and electric guitar, bass, mandolin, banjo, harmonica, piano, bouzouki and even kazoo. Additionally, he contributed to background vocals and programming.
For the Wyoming native, that level of involvement is part of what he believes makes his music feel authentic and separates him from his fellow artists. Rather than simply filling the sessions with the biggest names available, Munsick wanted collaborators who understood his artistic vision and could help him build on that without taking it over.
“Honestly, I’ve always been very hands on with all of my music from the very start. And back when I was an independent artist just getting started for my first EP, I was the only producer on it and I was the only player on it. So from the very start, I’ve known that people respond to my music the most when I’m the one that’s creating my music. So that’s always been really important for me because I feel like it’s what got me here, is me playing on my own records and producing my own records and writing my own records.”
He continued, “I just love to do it. I love to be a part of the process from the writing process all the way through the mastering process, all the way through the album cover to the artwork. I love every aspect of the creative process.”
Ian Munsick; The Mountain Goat
When starting the process of making his next record, Munisck wanted to carry on his mission of bringing the west to the rest while blending “modern textures with classic traditional textures.” He says he wanted to make the music feel like it was created today in a way that will also “stand the test of time and be classic.”
So far, fans have gotten their hands on tracks like “Geronimo,” “Medicine Man,” “Cutthroat World,” “Palomino Eyes,”and more. However, they have yet to hear the opening track and title track, “The Mountain Goat,” which Musick says began as a random idea before taking on a much bigger meaning.
On the surface, it seems like Munsick is singing from the perspective of the animal, but he also cleverly gives nod to the modern-day meaning of G-O-A-T, aka “Greatest of All Time” by claiming himself as the G-O-A-T of country music’s Rocky Mountain scene.
“I kind of was writing it as a joke, but as we started to write it, Jeremy Spillman, who was the co-writer on it and also the co-producer on it, he told me that he knew it was a joke, but he’s also like, ‘there’s a lot of truth to it because there’s not a lot of people from the mountains in country music. There’s a lot of people from Georgia and Texas and maybe the Smoky Mountains, but the Rocky Mountains are a whole nother animal.’ So it’s pretty easy to be the greatest of all time from the mountains when you’re the only one from the Rocky Mountains,” Munsick explained.
A large part of building out this next chapter was securing the opportunity to take his music to country radio, something he hadn’t quite conquered yet. Luckily, the team at Triple Tigers Records immediately recognized Munsick’s potential at radio with the track “Love Is Blind.”
“We’ve had the touring, we’ve had the streaming, but radio for whatever reason radio was just not happening for us for the last few years. And they have just an incredible radio team and their track record is absolutely insane. So we played them ‘Love is Blind’ for the first time. And the president, he looked at me and said, ‘That’s going to be your first hit on country radio.’ I was like, ‘Well, there you go.’”
At its core, The Mountain Goat feels like a true representation of Ian Munsick at this stage of his career. The project gives listeners a deeper look into the artist behind the music while showcasing how he continues to evolve without losing touch with the roots that shaped him. With a sound that feels both familiar and fresh, the album marks an exciting new chapter for Munsick as he continues carving out his place in country music.
He will celebrate the release with a stop on his memorable The Road to The Mountain Goat Tour. Munsick will embark on a series of shows during album release week, including an official album release show taking place at Deer Valley Snow Park Outdoor Amphitheater in Park City, Utah on August 22 as part of the Deer Valley Concert Series.
Ian Munsick; Road to the Mountain Goat
The Road to The Mountain Goat also includes stops in Nevada, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, South Dakota and Utah.
“Going back to the Rocky Mountains for the album tour was a no-brainer. Getting to play at Red Rocks again and going to Utah where the core of my audience is and the places that I’m most inspired to write music and the people that I really want to represent in country music, it was really important for me to go back there and do our tour there. They’re the people that have allowed me to tour in general and to do the thing that I love most. So going back to the Rockies for this album tour was just a no brainer,” he explained.
Fans attending these performances can expect to hear a lot of the new songs off The Mountain Goat in addition to the tracks that they already know well.
“We’re going to do a healthy, the combination of old music and new music, but we’re going to put on a whole new concert for those people because there’s a lot of those guys that have watched me play the last few years and we want to make sure that every year and every tour is a new experience for the audience.”
New information has emerged regarding Hayden Panettiere’s relationship with Brian Hickerson.
Following the Heroes star’s death on Aug. 16 at the age of 36, Panettiere’s West Hollywood, Calif.,… E! Online (US) – Top Stories
Jason Aldean grew up around modest homes and blue-collar families. Now his daughter has a two-story princess palace for a bedroom. Continue reading…Country Music News – Taste of Country
Jason Aldean grew up around modest homes and blue-collar families. Now his daughter has a two-story princess palace for a bedroom. Continue reading…The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs
Supporters of various candidates, including Democat Mary Peltola, who is running for the U.S. Senate, her opponent, incumbent U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, and independent gubernatorial candidate Meda DeWitt are gathered on the afternoon of Aug. 18, 2026, at the busy intersection of Northern Lights Boulevard and the Seward Highway. The intersection is a favored spot for sign-waving on primary and general election days. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
The gap between the fifth and sixth-place finishers in Alaska’s 17-way governor race closed to fewer than 300 votes on Thursday as the Alaska Division of Elections published more results from Tuesday’s primary election.
As of noon Thursday, fifth-place finisher Treg Taylor had 9,775 votes and sixth-place finisher Click Bishop had 9,489.
Ordinarily, a change in order between fifth and sixth place doesn’t matter, because only the top four candidates advance to November’s general election.
But if one of the top four finishers withdraws from the race by Aug. 31, the fifth-place finisher will be promoted and advance to November.
Only one election day precinct remains uncounted — votes from Koliganek in southwest Alaska had not been reported by the end of Thursday — but thousands of absentee and early votes also remain unreported and could change the result.
Voting precincts for the villages of Kipnuk and Kwigillingok in southwest Alaska also reported no results, but those communities were almost entirely destroyed by Typhoon Merbok in 2025 and did not host polling sites.
Counting is expected to wrap up by Aug. 28, the deadline for mailed absentee ballots to reach the Division of Elections.
Democratic frontrunners Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins and Tom Begich, who are on track to finish first and second in the primary, have since issued statements implying that they will remain in the race. Third-place Republican finisher Bernadette Wilson has said she will remain in the race if she is the top Republican.
Fourth-place finisher Dave Bronson issued a statement Wednesday that said in part, “Once the final tabulation of early votes are reported next Tuesday and we have the full picture of where this race stands, our campaign will make the decision that best advances that goal and gives Republicans the strongest path to victory in November.”
In other races, the newly counted ballots confirmed existing trends. In the U.S. Senate race, Democratic challenger Mary Peltola has 48.1% of the vote, and incumbent Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan has 42.7%. In the No. 3 spot is Republican challenger Dan J. Sullivan of Petersburg, with 2.4%. The fourth spot is currently held by progressive Democrat David Leslie, with 1.1%.
If Leslie withdraws or if late-counted votes alter election-day trends, his spot would be taken by conservative Republican Gerald Heikes, who sat just 17 votes behind Leslie on Thursday.
In the U.S. House race, Republican Rep. Nick Begich III has 46.1% of the vote, ahead of independent challenger Bill Hill, with 30.9%.
Democratic challenger Matt Schultz was in third with 8% and federal inmate Eric Hafner, a Democratic candidate, was in fourth with 3.8%.
Schultz has already suspended his campaign and is expected to withdraw, which would elevate fifth-place finisher John Williams, a Fairbanks Democrat with 2.6% of the vote. Republican Clay Strickland was in sixth with 2.4%.
It sounds like the distribution of the video — allegedly sending it to others — is what got him caught.
He’s facing a string of other criminal allegations and is already looking down the barrel at multiple sentencing hearings.
Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO) looks on in the U.S. Capitol Building on March 04, 2026. (Photo Credit: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Lauren Boebert’s 21-year-old son is accused of filming and sharing CSAM
Tyler Boebert is facing three counts of exploitation of a child and two counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
Sexually explicit pictures were posted to Instagram and circulated online in 2024.
Interestingly, Tyler appeared pro se in court — without an attorney, representing himself.
If convicted, he could face up to 12 years in prison on each of the charges.
When he appeared at the Garfield County Combined Courts in Colorado, the judge enjoined him from contacting two parties but allowed him to otherwise return home and to continue working.
According to law enforcement, Tyler allegedly filmed a 43-second video with his then-underage girlfriend.
He was 18 at the time. His girlfriend was 17. Even when sexual intercourse is perfectly legal and appropriate, minors should not appear on camera during this time — particularly when filmed by an adult.
(There is no discernible difference between a naked photo that a 16-year-old snapped themselves and that a 50-year-old predator snapped of a 16-year-old, so none of it can be allowed to circulate online.)
The video, though child sex-abuse material, was recorded just two weeks prior to her birthday. It likely would not have been an issue for anyone had it remained private.
When the girl’s ex-boyfriend received a copy of the video, she went to the police.
Tyler Boebert, Rep. Lauren Boebert’s oldest son, has been arrested on charges of sexual exploitation of a child, according to the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office.
Tyler is scheduled to appear in court for a new hearing on September 10.
He was already to appear before a judge that day for sentencing an unrelated 2024 criminal case.
That case involved a series of vehicle trespass and property theft incidents.
It is unclear if that sentencing will be rescheduled. It is also not the only legal trouble that he’s in.
Tyler is also awaiting sentencing after accepting a plea deal on charges of child abuse and negligence without injury.
According to authorities, Tyler Boebert’s baby was found wandering around a neighborhood in July of 2025.
Apparently, this was not even the first incident. Just weeks earlier, prosecutors accused, the child was “wandering around” wearing only a diaper.
Thankfully, a neighbor came to the rescue.
Prosecutors have asked the court to sentence Tyler to a maximum of 30 days in jail and to 12 months of supervised probation. They also want him to be ordered to take a proper parenting program.
It’s probably useful to remember that Tyler is not the only extremely young parent in his family. Lauren Boebert was born in 1986 and she is already a grandmother.
That explains why she acts a little like you’d imagine one of the worse Teen Mom stars ended up on Congress. It’s not an excuse — not for Lauren and not for Tyler. But it might explain why neither of them had a decent chance at being a good person or a good parent.
![<a href="https://countrynow.com/john-morgan-reveals-the-story-behind-once-in-a-mile-and-teases-his-next-musical-chapter-exclusive/" target="_blank">John Morgan Reveals the Story Behind ‘Once in a Mile’ and Teases His Next Musical Chapter [Exclusive]</a>](https://countrynow.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/2jmMatthew-Berinato-1024x683.jpg)
New information has emerged regarding Hayden Panettiere’s relationship with Brian Hickerson. 
