Trump distances himself from close allies who advised pro-Russian government in Europe
Longtime advisers Chris LaCivita and James Blair sidelined as ‘outside consultants’ who ‘do not work for me’
Donald Trump has sought to distance himself from two close political advisers who traveled to the Balkans in the middle of crucial midterm elections planning to advise the pro-Russian government of Republika Srpska.
Chris LaCivita and James Blair, a pair of long-time allies and close advisers overseeing the president’s political operation, are merely “outside consultants” who “do not work for me,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“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!” he wrote Wednesday.
They reportedly defended their work for the far-right government, not the nationalist party that controls it, despite being largely the same. Under that party’s control, Republika Srpska has aligned itself with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“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,” Trump wrote Wednesday.
“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,” he added.
Trump’s announcement marked the latest in a streak of apparent reversals from a president who refuses to admit wrongdoing in the face of ethics scandals and criminal investigations.
On Monday, the president said he would stop using taxpayer money to run campaign-style television ads celebrating himself and his administration, though the White House said the president will not reimburse the government for millions of dollars already spent on the campaign.
Last month, the president said his son Donald Trump Jr. was paying back a Kremlin-connected Russian businessman for six-figure wedding celebrations revealed by ProPublica.
