I was wondering if Joe is using her as comms to Hunter.
POTUS always saying "where's Hunter", we've all speculated that Hunter may have been taken into custody. I think recently. We all have seen via the laptop info being dropped that Hunter loves Natalie.
Is Joe, as the very evil animal he is, dangling her in front of Hunter? Is he basically saying that her safety/health is in his control (her being with him today)?
I see it as a threat to Hunter to not talk or else he will make sure she is hurt.
But, eh, who knows!