White House Defends New Press Aide Who Posed with Rifle in 'Fuck Joe Biden' Shirt

The White House on Friday defended its newly hired assistant press secretary, Beni Rae Harmony, after a 2021 holiday photograph resurfaced showing her wearing a T-shirt reading “Fuck Joe Biden” and holding a rifle. Harmony, 24, announced her new role just days after covering President Donald Trump as a correspondent for Real America’s Voice, a partisan right-wing outlet originally created as a video podcast platform for former Trump adviser Steve Bannon.

In a statement, the White House described Harmony as “a trusted voice for the MAGA movement as a White House correspondent,” dismissing the controversy over the image. The photograph, originally posted on social media in 2021, was recirculated by the @patriottakes account on X (formerly Twitter) and has since drawn widespread attention. Harmony’s rapid transition from a correspondent for a pro-Trump outlet to a White House press aide has raised questions about the administration’s vetting process and the blurring lines between partisan media and government communications.

The appointment and the White House’s defense of Harmony have sparked criticism from media watchdogs and opposition figures, who argue that the image and her previous role undermine the credibility of the White House press office. Supporters, however, view her hiring as a reflection of the administration’s commitment to engaging with conservative media. The controversy is likely to intensify scrutiny of the White House’s press operations and could fuel broader debates about political polarization and the role of partisan media in government.