WASHINGTON — President Trump’s election advisers Chris LaCivita and James Blair have donated their six-figure consulting fees from a controversial side-hustle in Bosnia and Herzegovina to Trump’s presidential library, sources familiar with the matter have confirmed.
The financial transfer, verified by four separate sources, appears to have smoothed over private tensions that flared earlier this month between the former president and his top political operatives. According to insiders, Trump was “gloating” and “very braggadocious” in private conversations upon learning of the donation, indicating that his initial hard feelings toward LaCivita and Blair over their Eastern European venture had dissipated. Two of the sources noted that Trump learned of the gesture indirectly rather than directly from the advisers themselves.
LaCivita, who co-led Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign, and Blair, who served as a deputy chief of staff until May, earned more than $100,000 apiece from the engagement. Despite the donation, tax experts note that the advisers will likely still be required to pay federal income taxes on the revenue.
The controversy began earlier this month after media reports revealed that the duo—who hold prominent leadership roles at the MAGA Inc. super PAC—traveled abroad to advise the victorious ruling party in the ethnically Serbian Republika Srpska region. The local party is led by Milorad Dodik, a political figure known for his friendly stances toward both Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The overseas consulting job sparked internal friction, creating the impression among some Republicans that LaCivita and Blair were leveraging their connection to Trump for personal enrichment while taking their attention away from struggling Republican congressional campaigns. However, defenders of the advisers argued that they remained actively engaged in domestic election work remotely.
Initial fallout from the trip prompted a public rebuke from Trump on Truth Social on Oct. 7. At the time, the former president expressed frustration, emphasizing that the men operated as outside consultants rather than direct staff, while noting they were permitted to maintain other clients. Trump warned at the time that he would investigate potential conflicts and terminate their services if necessary.
The recent library donation has notably shifted the dynamic. Blair, who masterminded a Republican redistricting initiative this year aimed at redrawing House districts to favor the GOP, accompanied Trump to a campaign rally in South Carolina, signaling a clear thaw in relations. Furthermore, a White House official indicated that Trump no longer appeared upset with Blair, describing their recent interactions as businesslike and tactical as the political calendar heads toward upcoming electoral decisions.
