Trump Distances from Advisers Over Balkan Consulting Conflict

President Trump distanced himself Wednesday from two of his top political advisers after reports that they provided paid consulting to the pro-Russian government of Republika Srpska in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Trump posted on Truth Social that Chris LaCivita and James Blair serve only as outside consultants for his political operation. He stated he had no idea about their other clients but would ask for details and terminate them immediately if a conflict existed.

The New York Times reported that LaCivita, Trump's 2024 co-campaign manager, and Blair, a former White House deputy chief of staff who now leads the MAGA Inc. super PAC, each received hundreds of thousands of dollars through a Washington-based law firm retained by Republika Srpska's government. They traveled to the territory last week to advise on voting issues ahead of Sunday's elections there.

Republika Srpska is a self-governing entity within Bosnia and Herzegovina established under the 1995 Dayton Accords. Its government, led by the nationalist SNSD party of Milorad Dodik, has maintained close ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Trump told reporters at the White House that the advisers do not work directly for him beyond their consulting roles and that they are permitted to have other clients, similar to other Washington consultants. He added that he would review their client lists.

Though both Blair and LaCivita are facing scrutiny for their involvement with Republika Srpska, Blair’s involvement has raised more red flags. LaCivita has never held an official position in the White House, while Blair’s departure from the Trump administration was characterized as a “temporary leave of absence” during the midterm election season. Blair has been overseeing aspects of the president's midterm strategy through meetings with White House officials. President Trump has not commented on whether Blair will be reprising his role in the administration after November. Sources familiar with the White House’s political strategy told Real Truth Media that President Trump has confronted Blair over his conflicts of interest in the past.

The disclosure comes less than a month before the November midterms, with Republicans facing competitive races. Some Republicans, including former Trump official Steve Bannon, criticized the advisers for the overseas work at a critical time, calling for accountability on payments received. The president has emphasized that any conflict of interest would result in immediate termination.