Archive · 8 Oct 2026
Trump Distances Himself From Advisers’ Republika Srpska Work
Two advisers who help Donald Trump’s political team also did consulting work for Republika Srpska’s government.
A report said they were paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to give advice related to elections there.
Trump said he did not know about their other clients.
He said he would ask them about the work and end their employment if he found a conflict.
The advisers also have important jobs with MAGA Inc., which supports Republican candidates.
Their work abroad has raised questions about whether they are focused on Trump’s US election efforts.
The article says they returned to the United States on Monday.
Neither adviser responded to questions about whether they discussed the work with Trump or would stop consulting.
Trump said he was unaware that James Blair and Chris LaCivita advised Republika Srpska’s government.
A report said each adviser was paid hundreds of thousands of dollars for election-related advice.
Trump said he would terminate them if he found a conflict of interest.
Blair and LaCivita help lead the Trump-backed MAGA Inc. super PAC ahead of US midterm elections.
Their work has drawn scrutiny because Republika Srpska’s ruling party is described as nationalist and pro-Russian.
- Who
- Donald Trump, advisers James Blair and Chris LaCivita, and the government of Republika Srpska.
- What
- Trump said he was unaware of the advisers’ paid election-related consulting work and would act if he found a conflict.
- When
- Trump commented on Wednesday; the elections in Republika Srpska were held Sunday, and the advisers returned Monday.
- Where
- Republika Srpska, one of two political entities within Bosnia and Herzegovina; the advisers returned to the United States.
- Why
- The outside consulting work prompted questions about potential conflicts and the advisers’ roles in Trump’s midterm political operation.
Conflict and focus concerns
Trump’s response and advisers’ roles
Potential conflict of interest
Conflict and focus concerns
Critics have questioned whether advising Republika Srpska’s government creates a conflict with the advisers’ central roles in Trump’s political operation.
Trump’s response and advisers’ roles
Trump said he was unaware of their outside clients and would terminate them if he determined there was a conflict.
Attention to US elections
Conflict and focus concerns
Some critics, including Republicans, questioned whether the overseas work showed a lack of focus on efforts to prevent Republican losses in the midterms.
Trump’s response and advisers’ roles
A MAGA Inc. spokesman had previously said Blair and LaCivita remained involved in the super PAC’s political work while traveling.
- Advisers
- James Blair and Chris LaCivita
- Client
- The government of Republika Srpska
- Reported pay
- Each was reportedly paid hundreds of thousands of dollars
- Consulting purpose
- Election-related advice, including on voting issues
- Trump’s response
- He said he was unaware of their other work and would terminate them if he found a conflict
- US political role
- Both help lead political work for MAGA Inc., a Trump-backed super PAC
- Election timing
- Republika Srpska held elections Sunday