Trump floats firing advisers LaCivita, Blair over work in Republika Srpska
In short
President Trump wrote on Truth Social on Wednesday that advisers Chris LaCivita and James Blair are "outside consultants" and that, if their other work presents a conflict, "I will terminate them, immediately!" The post followed a New York Times report that the two were paid hundreds of thousands of dollars each for work in Republika Srpska, in Bosnia and Herzegovina, ahead of its election, work that outlets describe as being for a pro-Russian government.
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President Donald Trump on Wednesday distanced himself from two of his top political advisers, Chris LaCivita and James Blair, writing on Truth Social that if their outside work presents a conflict, "I will terminate them, immediately!" The post followed a New York Times report that the two had traveled to Republika Srpska, an autonomous entity in Bosnia and Herzegovina, to assist its government ahead of an election, and that each had been paid hundreds of thousands of dollars. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]
"Chris LaCivita and James Blair are outside consultants. They do not work for me, other than as outside consultants," Trump wrote. "They are allowed to do work for others, just like all consultants in Washington, D.C. I do not have any idea who else they work for but will, on reflection, ask them and, if there's a conflict, I will terminate them, immediately!" [ 1 , 5 ]
Sources told CNN that Trump did not know the two men had traveled to the Balkans, or that the government was among their clients, until he was briefed on the impending Times article, and that he made a series of phone calls on Tuesday night asking allies for their views. One source said he appeared annoyed, and a veteran Republican in touch with him said he was "pissed", calling the advisers' conduct "tone deaf"; another source said he was simply seeking a range of opinions. According to CNN, Trump dictated the post to aide Natalie Harp in the Oval Office. [ 2 ]
The Hill, citing the Times, said the advisers were paid through a Washington-based firm the government hired to advise on voting issues, and that two people told the Times the work was for the government rather than the nationalist party that controls it, which The Hill described as heavily intertwined. The New York Post described the work as advising the ruling party led by Milorad Dodik, which won Sunday's election, and said the two returned on Monday. It reported that Dodik thanked Russian President Vladimir Putin in his victory speech and has reportedly paid $4 million to Trump allies since last year. [ 1 , 6 ]
MAGA Inc. spokesman Alex Pfeiffer told the Times that "James and Chris hosted a team call with race captains on Saturday morning to go over recent survey data," the New York Post reported. Retiring Sen. Thom Tillis, a North Carolina Republican, told CNN that Republika Srpska is a "destabilizing force" and said, "These guys are not hurting for money. They don't need to be doing that." [ 1 , 6 ]
LaCivita co-managed Trump's 2024 campaign alongside Susie Wiles, now White House chief of staff, and is a senior adviser to MAGA Inc. Blair was White House deputy chief of staff for legislative, political and public affairs; the New York Post says he left in May and The Hill in April to run MAGA Inc., while The Guardian describes him as on leave of absence. The midterm elections are on Nov. 3. [ 1 , 5 , 6 ]
Why it matters
Both men work with MAGA Inc., the pro-Trump super PAC supporting Republicans in the midterm elections, and the report came less than 30 days before the vote. Republican Sen. Thom Tillis called Republika Srpska a "destabilizing force" and urged the advisers to end the relationship, The Hill reported.
Key facts
- Trump wrote on Truth Social that LaCivita and Blair are outside consultants and that he would terminate them if there is a conflict. [ 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 ]
- The New York Times reported that LaCivita and Blair worked in Republika Srpska ahead of its election and were each paid hundreds of thousands of dollars. [ 1 , 5 , 6 ]
- The Hill, citing the Times, said the pay came through a Washington-based firm hired by Republika Srpska's government to advise on voting issues. [ 6 ]
- LaCivita was co-manager of Trump's 2024 presidential campaign and is a senior adviser to MAGA Inc. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]
- Blair is a former White House deputy chief of staff who now leads Trump's outside political operation at MAGA Inc. [ 1 , 2 , 6 ]
- Sources told CNN that Trump did not know about the trip until he was briefed on the impending Times article. [ 2 ]
- Sen. Thom Tillis said the advisers "should get out of that relationship very, very quickly" if the reports are true. [ 6 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Trump said on Truth Social that he would terminate LaCivita and Blair "immediately" if their outside work presents a conflict. [ 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 ]
- Trump described both men as outside consultants who are allowed to work for others. [ 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 ]
- The New York Times reported that the two advisers did paid work in Republika Srpska ahead of its election. [ 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 ]
- Each adviser was reported to have been paid hundreds of thousands of dollars. [ 1 , 5 , 6 ]
- LaCivita co-managed Trump's 2024 presidential campaign. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]
- Blair served as White House deputy chief of staff. [ 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 ]
- Both men are working with MAGA Inc. on the midterm elections. [ 1 , 5 , 6 ]
Still unclear
- Whether the advisers worked for Republika Srpska's government or for its ruling party. Two people told the Times the work was for the government, not the nationalist party that controls it, according to The Hill; the New York Post describes it as advising the ruling party led by Milorad Dodik.
- Blair's current status at the White House. The New York Post says he left in May, The Hill says he left in April, and The Guardian describes him as deputy chief of staff on leave of absence.
- Whether Trump will dismiss either adviser. Trump said he would ask them and act if there is a conflict; no outcome is reported.
- How Trump privately reacted to the report. CNN sources differ: one said he appeared annoyed and a veteran Republican said he was "pissed", while another said he was only seeking a range of opinions.
- Dodik's reported $4 million in payments to Trump allies since last year. Reported only by the New York Post.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- The New York Post reports Trump's threat to terminate LaCivita and Blair. [ 1 ]
- CNN reports, citing sources, that Trump was unaware of the advisers' trip until briefed on the Times article. [ 2 ]
- The New York Times and Bloomberg report that Trump has distanced himself from the advisers' work. [ 3 , 4 ]
- The Guardian reports on Trump's post and the advisers' work in Republika Srpska. [ 5 ]
- The Hill reports Sen. Thom Tillis's criticism of the advisers. [ 6 ]