James Blair and Chris LaCivita confirmed Thursday that they donated their controversial consulting fees from work in Bosnia and Herzegovina to President Donald Trump’s presidential library fund.
Blair and LaCivita, who jointly managed Trump’s successful 2024 presidential campaign and worked for his MAGA Inc. PAC, faced the president’s public ire earlier this month after reports surfaced that they had advised a Russia-friendly political territory in the Balkan nation while continuing to work on Republican political efforts in the United States.
Blair confirmed the donation following a report by the New York Post, saying the two advisers had given up their entire payment from the consulting work.
“Yes, it’s true we donated our full fee,” Blair wrote on social media. “I love the President and am eternally grateful for the opportunities he has provided me. Contributing to the preservation of his legacy of greatness is my honor!”
LaCivita touted the donation is a separate social media post, saying “preserving the legacy and story of @realDonaldTrump is an honor and a no brainer!”
Trump had distanced himself from the two advisers in a Truth Social post on Oct. 7, emphasizing that they were not his employees.
“Chris LaCivita and James Blair are outside consultants,” Trump wrote. “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.”
The president’s remarks followed a New York Times report that Blair and LaCivita had traveled to Republika Srpska, a self-governing entity within Bosnia and Herzegovina, to provide election advice. The two were reportedly paid hundreds of thousands of dollars through a Washington law firm retained by the territory’s government.
Republika Srpska has longstanding political ties to Russia, and its leadership has pursued greater autonomy from Bosnia and Herzegovina’s central government. The territory’s political leadership has also faced international scrutiny over its separatist rhetoric and challenges to the country’s constitutional order.
The consulting work raised questions about the advisers’ outside business activities as they remained involved in Republican politics ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Blair served as a deputy chief of staff in the Trump administration until May, while LaCivita has continued to work as a prominent Republican political strategist.
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The president announced plans for his library earlier this year. The building is expected to be a high-rise skyscraper tower and museum located in downtown Miami, Florida. Construction is expected to begin near the end of 2027.
The Washington Examiner reached out to the White House for comment.