WASHINGTON — President Trump threatened on Wednesday to terminate two key advisers, Chris LaCivita and James Blair, after it was revealed that they had earned hundreds of thousands of dollars each advising a pro-Russian political party in Bosnia. This development comes as Republicans prepare for the upcoming midterm elections on November 3.
Trump stated on Truth Social, "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!"
Blair, who previously served as Trump’s White House deputy chief of staff for legislative, political, and public affairs, left his position in May to lead Republican midterm efforts at the pro-Trump MAGA Inc. super PAC. LaCivita co-led Trump’s 2024 campaign alongside Susie Wiles, who is now the White House chief of staff, and he remains a senior adviser to MAGA Inc.
Their consulting work was disclosed by the New York Times, which noted that the advisers were focusing on the electoral prospects of the Republika Srpska party, rather than assisting Republican candidates who are currently struggling in polls. MAGA Inc. spokesman Alex Pfeiffer downplayed concerns about their divided attention, stating, "James and Chris hosted a team call with race captains on Saturday morning to go over recent survey data."
LaCivita and Blair reportedly returned from a trip to the region after advising the ruling party, led by Milorad Dodik, who thanked Russian President Vladimir Putin during his victory speech. Since last year, Dodik has reportedly paid $4 million to Trump allies as part of a lobbying campaign. U.S. sanctions against Dodik, imposed in 2022 for allegedly undermining a peace settlement with Muslim Bosniaks and Catholic Croats, were lifted in October 2025.
The 1995 Dayton Agreement, which ended the sectarian conflict in Bosnia and Herzegovina, established the Republika Srpska in charge of Serb-majority areas, while a Bosniak-Croat government oversees the remaining regions. Some nationalists within Dodik’s party advocate for independence or unification with Serbia.