Trump says he could ‘terminate’ close aides over reported work for pro-Russia Balkan government
WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump on Wednesday, October 7, distanced himself from two longtime political advisers after reports surfaced that they worked for the government of Republika Srpska, a self-governing entity in Bosnia and Herzegovina with close ties to Russia.
Trump said that Chris LaCivita and James Blair are “outside consultants” and said he would still terminate them if their work created a conflict. Both men remain involved with MAGA Inc, the Trump-backed super PAC working to support Republican candidates in the US midterm elections.
Trump says Chris LaCivita and James Blair could be terminated over conflict
Trump addressed the reports in a post on Truth Social, saying LaCivita and Blair do not work directly for him beyond their roles as outside consultants. “Chris LaCivita and James Blair are outside consultants. They do not work for me, other than as outside consultants. They most likely have numerous clients, but for that, you would have to ask them,” he wrote.
Chris LaCivita and James Blair are outside consultants. They do not work for me, other than as outside consultants. They most likely have numerous clients, but for that, you would have to ask them. 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! Thank you for your attention to this matter. President DONALD J. TRUMP ( TS: Oct 7 2026, 12:02 PM ET )
— Commentary Donald J. Trump Truth Social Posts On X (@TrumpTruthOnX) October 8, 2026
The president then said that the consultants are permitted to work for other clients but indicated he would take action if their outside work ever conflicted with his interests. “They are allowed to do work for others, just like all consultants in Washington, DC. I do not have any idea who else they work for but will, if there’s a conflict, I will terminate them, immediately!” Trump added.
2 of Trump's top advisors reportedly traveled to the Balkans to help the pro-Russia Republika Srpska government ahead of their elections. The Trump staffers, James Blair and Chris LaCivita, were paid hundreds of thousands of dollars for their work. https://t.co/z2C4SZKnZv
— Headquarters (@HQNewsNow) October 7, 2026
He later told reporters at the White House that he did not currently believe there was a conflict because the two men were independent consultants: “They don’t have a conflict, because they’re independent, they don’t work for me,” Trump said. “They are consultants, and I assume they have a lot of clients, so, I don’t know who their clients are.”
Trump on Chris LaCivita and James Blair: They don't have a conflict because they don't work for me. They are consultants and I assume they have a lot of clients, so I don't know who their clients are. If I thought they had a conflict, I would terminate, but all they are is consultants. They're not sitting around a cabinet table or anything like that.
— Acyn (@Acyn) October 7, 2026
Trump made the remarks after a New York Times report claimed that LaCivita and Blair traveled to Republika Srpska to advise its government ahead of elections over the weekend. The newspaper reported that each man was paid hundreds of thousands of dollars for the work.
Chris LaCivita and James Blair remain involved in Trump's political operation
LaCivita and Blair have longstanding relationships with Trump and remain connected to his political operation. LaCivita was co-manager of Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign and is now a senior adviser to the MAGA Inc super PAC.
Trump previously praised him as “the best” while announcing his role alongside then-campaign manager and now White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles.
Blair served as Trump’s political director during the 2024 campaign before becoming a White House deputy chief of staff overseeing legislative, political, and public affairs.
Trump described Blair in April as “one of the brightest political minds” when announcing that he would temporarily leave the White House to work with MAGA Inc on the midterm elections before returning after the vote.
RT @realDonaldTrump James Blair, my Deputy Chief of Staff, is one of the brightest political minds in the Country who has done tremendous work to prepare Republicans to DEFY LONGSTANDING HISTORY AND WIN the Midterms, just as he helped me do in 2024, BY A LANDSLIDE. James never wavered from the fight because he is a Political WARRIOR! Now, James will be taking a short leave of absence to lead the charge from the outside against the Radical Left, Country Destroying Democrats. He will do a fantastic job, and then, after the Election, return again to the White House, so we can finish the job and, KEEP AMERICA GREAT! President DONALD J. TRUMP
— TrumpReposter (@TrumpReposter) April 10, 2026
The two advisers reportedly continued working on Republican midterm efforts while traveling in the Balkans.
