WASHINGTON — Chris LaCivita and James Blair, two of President Trump’s election advisers, have donated their six-figure consulting fees from a controversial political assignment in Bosnia and Herzegovina to Trump’s presidential library, The Post has learned.
Trump was “gloating” and “very braggadocious” in private conversations this week after learning about the donation, according to a source. The reaction suggests that his initial anger toward LaCivita and Blair over their work in Eastern Europe has subsided.
A second source also confirmed that Trump was pleased by the donation.
Four sources confirmed the transfer. Two of them said Trump learned of the decision indirectly rather than from LaCivita or Blair themselves.
LaCivita, who co-led Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign, and Blair, who served as a White House deputy chief of staff until May, are still likely to owe income taxes on the earnings. Sources said each man received more than $100,000 from the consulting work.
Trump had lashed out earlier this month after The New York Times reported that the pair, who hold senior positions at the MAGA Inc. super PAC, had traveled to support a political party in the ethnically Serbian Republika Srpska. They advised the ruling party, led by Milorad Dodik, during the region’s election, which the party won.
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Dodik has friendly relationships with both Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The outside assignment created the impression that LaCivita and Blair were using their ties to Trump for personal financial gain while diverting attention from struggling Republican congressional campaigns. Some colleagues, however, said the two men remained involved in the US election effort remotely.
“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 on Truth Social in his initial response on Oct. 7.
“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 spearheaded a Republican redistricting effort this year aimed at reshaping House districts to benefit the GOP, joined Trump at a campaign rally in South Carolina on Wednesday. His appearance pointed to a thaw in their relationship.
A White House official told The Post on Thursday that Trump did not appear upset with Blair and was unlikely to hold him responsible if Republicans were wiped out on Nov. 3. The official described the president’s conversations with Blair as businesslike and focused on campaign tactics.
