White House defends Greensburg native over viral video

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – The White House is defending Greensburg native Ellie Acra after a viral video over the weekend. 

Acra serves in the White House Communications Office and one of her responsibilities is to direct reporters and ensure logistics are staying on schedule during events involving President Donald Trump. 

That position is known as 'press wrangler' and exists in all White House administrations regardless of who the president is. 

On Sunday, she became the focus of a viral tweet by independent liberal journalist Aaron Rupar. 

He went on Twitter/X and posted a video of her directing the press at Shannon International Airport in Ireland over the weekend. 

Rupar then said of Acra, “another blonde Trump flunkie starts literally shoving photographers away from Trump.”

Here's that video that was posted online:

https://youtu.be/_f5vPlU4sG8

His post led the White House to respond through their official ‘Rapid Response 47’ account. Here’s what it said:

“This is a press wrangler doing her job — and doing it well. Aaron, meanwhile, is gutter trash (in his 40s) who spends his days hiding behind his keyboard and making disturbing comments about women doing their jobs. Truly a sick freak!” 

The exchange came a day after Rupar made what appears to be a negative post directed toward White House aide Natalie Harp as well. 

More about Ellie

Acra has been in the White House for more than a year and holds an important role within the communications office, but is typically not the subject of online attacks or news stories. 

She’s likely a familiar name and face to many longtime followers as she also used to be an intern for The 812. 

We’ve gotten to know her well over the years and she is incredibly talented, professional and upstanding in all that she does.

Click here to read more about Ellie.