{"id":2677990,"date":"2026-10-07T13:09:17","date_gmt":"2026-10-07T17:09:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-distances-himself-from-top-political-aides-over-lobbying-work\/"},"modified":"2026-10-07T13:13:13","modified_gmt":"2026-10-07T17:13:13","slug":"trump-distances-himself-from-top-political-aides-over-lobbying-work","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-distances-himself-from-top-political-aides-over-lobbying-work\/","title":{"rendered":"Trump distances himself from top political aides over lobbying work"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Ftrump-distances-himself-from-top-political-aides-over-lobbying-work%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2677990&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>President Donald Trump stated that there would be no conflicts of interest regarding political advisers Chris LaCivita and James blair, dismissing reports that they previously worked for a pro-Russian government in teh Balkans. He emphasized that both are outside consultants free to work for multiple clients and that he would fire them if their work created a conflict. Reports from The New York Times revealed that LaCivita, Trump&#8217;s campaign co-chairman, and Blair, a former White House deputy chief of staff, received ample payments through a law firm from the Republika Srpska government for advisory work related to voting issues. Blair is also known for designing the GOP\u2019s mid-decade redistricting strategy,wich did not achieve its initial goal. The involvement of these advisers has sparked division within Trump\u2019s camp, with critics like Steve Bannon labeling them as opportunists \u201cgrifters,\u201d contrasting with trump&#8217;s promises to &#8220;drain the swamp.&#8221; Additionally, there are concerns among Democrats about voter complacency amid early victory predictions, and some defending the advisers argue their busy campaign schedules limit scrutiny. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/media-pounce-to-cover-up-kamala-harris-plagiarism-scandal\/\" title=\"Media &#039;Pounce&#039; To Cover Up Kamala Harris&#039; Plagiarism Scandal\">controversy highlights ongoing debates<\/a> over the advisers&#8217; roles and the transparency of their work ahead of the upcoming midterm elections.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-first wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"4\">Donald Trump<\/a> insisted there will be no conflicts of interest created by political advisers Chris LaCivita and James Blair after reports that they worked for a pro-<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/russia\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"80\">Russian<\/a> government in the Balkans before Russia\u2019s election.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cChris LaCivita and James Blair are outside consultants,\u201d Trump wrote on Truth Social on Wednesday. \u201cThey 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. They are allowed to do work for others, just like all consultants in Washington, D.C.\u201d<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<style>.explore-more-section { background: var(--wex-bg); border-top: 1px solid #ffffff; border-bottom: 1px solid #ffffff; margin: 24px 0; margin-top: -20px; }<\/style>\n<style id=\"mos-bcdd9d6b-101a-42eb-94ff-dee91dc61c4c-style\">@scope (#mos-bcdd9d6b-101a-42eb-94ff-dee91dc61c4c) { .we-meter {   --we-red: #DB3745;   --we-charcoal: #323E48;   --we-blue: #15BEF0;   --we-slate: #85A0AB;   --we-gold: #ECC270;   --we-text: #323E48;   --we-border: #85A0AB;    max-width: 800px;   margin: 0 auto;   padding: 1.5rem;   border: 1px solid rgba(33, 39, 42, 0.4);   border-radius: 12px;   background: #fff;   color: var(--we-text);   font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif !important; }  .we-grid {   display: grid;   grid-template-columns: 1fr 200px;   gap: 1.5rem;   align-items: center; }  .we-title {   margin: 0 0 0.5rem;   font-family: Constantia, \"Lucida Bright\", \"DejaVu Serif\", Georgia, \"serif\" !important;   font-size: 1.75rem !important;   line-height: 1.1 !important;   letter-spacing: -0.02em !important; }  .we-title span {   display: block;   color: var(--we-red); }  .we-copy {   margin: 0;   font-size: 1rem !important;   line-height: 1.4 !important; }  .we-actions {   text-align: center; }  .we-cta {   display: flex;   align-items: center;   justify-content: center;   gap: 8px;   width: 100%;   padding: 12px 16px;   border-radius: 8px;   background: var(--we-red);   color: #fff !important;   text-decoration: none;   font-size: 0.9rem !important;   font-weight: 700 !important; }  .we-arrow {   font-size: 1.2em !important; }  .we-member {   margin: 12px 0 0;   font-size: 0.85rem !important;   line-height: 1.4 !important; }  .we-member a {   color: var(--we-red);   text-decoration: none; }  @media (max-width: 600px) {   .we-grid {     grid-template-columns: 1fr;     gap: 1rem;   }   .we-meter {     padding: 1.25rem;   }   .we-cta {     padding: 14px;   } } }<\/style>\n<p><script>if (typeof CSSScopeRule == 'undefined') { const style = document.getElementById('mos-bcdd9d6b-101a-42eb-94ff-dee91dc61c4c-style'); if (style) { style.textContent = style.textContent.replace(\/^@scope (#mos-bcdd9d6b-101a-42eb-94ff-dee91dc61c4c) { \/, '').replace(\/}$\/, '');}}<\/script><\/p>\n<div id=\"mos-bcdd9d6b-101a-42eb-94ff-dee91dc61c4c\" style=\"display: contents;\">\n<section class=\"we-meter\" aria-label=\"Washington Examiner subscription meter\">\n<div class=\"we-grid\">\n<div>\n<h2 class=\"we-title\">Stay informed.<span>Stay ahead.<\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"we-copy\">                  Join Washington Examiner for unlimited access to the news, analysis, and commentary that matter most.       <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"we-actions\">       <a class=\"we-cta\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/subscribe\/digital\/\">         <span>See Options<\/span>         <span class=\"we-arrow\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\u203a<\/span>       <\/a>       <\/p>\n<p class=\"we-member\">Already a member? <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/sign-in\/\">Log in<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<style>#mos-d526c61f-0059-4e9b-9fa7-afe88104d7a0 > section { display: none; }<\/style>\n<div style=\"height: 160px; margin-top: -160px; margin-bottom: 40px; background: linear-gradient(to bottom, rgba(245, 243, 235, 0), #FFFFFF); pointer-events: none; position: relative; z-index: 1;\"><\/div>\n<style id=\"mos-416b10c4-bc65-44b9-b667-344bbc2e4061-style\">@scope (#mos-416b10c4-bc65-44b9-b667-344bbc2e4061) { .we<a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/sununu-and-shaheen-look-to-keep-dynasties-alive-in-new-hampshire\/\" title=\"Sununu and Shaheen look to keep dynasties alive in New Hampshire\">-page-content {   text-align<\/a>: center;   margin-bottom: 32px;   font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;   color: #333; }  .we-page-headline {   font-size: 42px;   line-height: 1.1;   margin-bottom: 24px;   font-weight: bold; }  .we-paywall-text {   font-size: 18px;   line-height: 1.5;   color: #555; }  .we-inline-barrier {   --we-red: #DB3745;   --we-charcoal: #323E48;   --we-blue: #15BEF0;   --we-slate: #85A0AB;   --we-gold: #ECC270;   --we-white: #ffffff;    position: relative;   overflow: hidden;   width: 100%;   max-width: 722px; \/* Reduced another 15% from 850px *\/   margin: 14px auto;   border-radius: 14px; \/* Reduced another 15% from 17px *\/   color: #fff;   font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;   background:     linear-gradient(90deg, rgba(50,62,72,.99) 0%, rgba(50,62,72,.92) 43%, rgba(50,62,72,.48) 68%, rgba(50,62,72,.22) 100%),     linear-gradient(0deg, rgba(50,62,72,.70), rgba(50,62,72,.08) 50%),     url(\"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/2026\/10\/localimages\/Washington_Examiner_Capitol_Final.png6ac67cbf84e51.png\") right center \/ 50% 100% no-repeat,     var(--we-charcoal); }  .we-inner {   position: relative;   z-index: 2;   max-width: 382px; \/* Reduced another 15% from 450px *\/   padding: clamp(20px, 2.9vw, 42px); \/* Reduced another 15% *\/ }  .we-title {   margin: 0 0 20px; \/* Reduced another 15% from 24px *\/   font-family: Constantia, \"Lucida Bright\", \"DejaVu Serif\", Georgia, \"serif\";   font-size: clamp(25px, 3.4vw, 46px); \/* Reduced another 15% *\/   line-height: .98;   letter-spacing: -.035em;   color: white!important; }  .we-title span {   display: block;   color: var(--we-red); }  .we-deck {   margin: 0 0 21px; \/* Reduced another 15% from 25px *\/   max-width: 360px; \/* Reduced another 15% from 425px *\/   font-size: clamp(12px, 1.2vw, 18px); \/* Reduced another 15% *\/   line-height: 1.55;   color: white!important; }  .we-cta {   display: inline-flex;   align-items: center;   justify-content: center;   gap: 11px; \/* Reduced another 15% from 13px *\/   width: min(100%, 318px); \/* Reduced another 15% from 374px *\/   padding: 12px 17px; \/* Reduced another 15% *\/   border-radius: 8px; \/* Reduced another 15% from 10px *\/   background: var(--we-red);   color: #fff !important;   text-decoration: none;   font-size: clamp(12px, 1.3vw, 19px); \/* Reduced another 15% *\/   font-weight: 700; }  .we-cta:hover, .we-cta:focus-visible {   filter: brightness(.94); }  .we-arrow {   font-size: 1.35em;   font-weight: 400; }  .we-member, .we-cancel {   font-size: clamp(10px, 1vw, 15px); \/* Reduced another 15% from 18px *\/   line-height: 1.4; }  .we-member {   margin: 18px 0 0; \/* Reduced another 15% from 21px *\/   color: white !important; }  .we-cancel {   margin: 8px 0 0; \/* Reduced another 15% from 10px *\/   color: white !important; }  .we-member a {   color: var(--we-red);   text-decoration: none; }  @media (max-width: 820px) {   .we-inline-barrier {     background:       linear-gradient(180deg, rgba(50,62,72,.42) 0%, rgba(50,62,72,.94) 45%, rgba(50,62,72,1) 100%),       url(\"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/2026\/10\/localimages\/Washington_Examiner_Capitol_Final.png6ac67cbf84e51.png\") top right \/ 100% 50% no-repeat,       var(--we-charcoal);   }   .we-inner {     max-width: none;     padding-top: 35%;   }   .we-cta {     width: 100%;   } }  .we-print-subscriber, .we-digital-subscriber {   text-align: center;   font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;   font-size: 14px;   font-weight: bold;   color: #333; }  .we-print-subscriber {   margin-top: 12px; }  .we-digital-subscriber {   margin-top: 6px; }  .we-print-subscriber a, .we-digital-subscriber a {   color: #DB3745;   text-decoration: underline; }  }<\/style>\n<p><script>if (typeof CSSScopeRule == 'undefined') { const style = document.getElementById('mos-416b10c4-bc65-44b9-b667-344bbc2e4061-style'); if (style) { style.textContent = style.textContent.replace(\/^@scope (#mos-416b10c4-bc65-44b9-b667-344bbc2e4061) { \/, '').replace(\/}$\/, '');}}<\/script><\/p>\n<div id=\"mos-416b10c4-bc65-44b9-b667-344bbc2e4061\" style=\"display: contents;\">\n<div class=\"we-page-content\">\n<h1 class=\"we-page-headline\"><\/h1>\n<p class=\"we-paywall-text\">\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"we-print-subscriber\">      Print subscriber? <a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/print-subscription-check\">Click here to login\/register your account<\/a> <\/div>\n<div class=\"we-digital-subscriber\">      Digital subscriber? <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/sign-in\/\">Click here to login\/register your account.<\/a> <\/div>\n<section class=\"we-inline-barrier\" aria-label=\"Washington Examiner subscription offer\">\n<div class=\"we-inner\">\n<h2 class=\"we-title\">Trusted reporting.<span>Unlimited access.<\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"we-deck\">              Subscribe for full access to Washington Examiner coverage, expert political analysis,       and subscriber-only journalism.     <\/p>\n<p>     <a class=\"we-cta\" href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/subscribe\/digital\">       <span>Get Unlimited Access<\/span>       <span class=\"we-arrow\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\u203a<\/span>     <\/a>     <\/p>\n<p class=\"we-member\">Already a member? <a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/sign-in\">Log in<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"we-cancel\">Cancel anytime.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section><\/div>\n<p><script> (window._matherq = window._matherq || []).push([   'paywallEvent',   {     type: 'paywall',     category: 'block',     action: 'stop',     wall_type: 'paywall'   } ]); <\/script>     <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The president added he will fire the pair if their work amounts to a conflict of interest.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI do not have any idea who else they work for but will, on reflection, ask them and, if there\u2019s a conflict, I will terminate them, immediately!\u201d wrote Trump.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <em>New York Times<\/em> reported Wednesday that LaCivita, Trump\u2019s 2024 campaign co-chairman, and Blair, his former <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/white-house\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"8767\">White House<\/a> deputy chief of staff, were paid hundreds of thousands apiece through a law firm retained by Republika Srpska\u2019s government to provide advice regarding voting issues.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">LaCivita and Blair both continue to help Trump, mainly through his MAGA Inc. super PAC, with Blair, in particular, leading meetings with White House chief of staff Susie Wiles to advise administration officials and congressional Republicans on the president\u2019s midterm strategy.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Blair is also credited as the architect of the GOP\u2019s mid-decade redistricting strategy, which was initially meant to net Republicans upwards of 15 seats but, given the political environment and counterefforts from Democrats, looks to fall well short of that.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The consulting work generated a divided response from Trumpworld, with the midterm elections less than a month away.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Former Trump White House chief political strategist Steve Bannon criticized LaCivita and Blair as \u201cgrifters\u201d at odds with Trump\u2019s 2016 promise to \u201cdrain the swamp.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-25\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-4\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4754795\/democrats-early-victory-talk-voters-complacent-hamper-turnout\/\"><strong>DEMOCRATS FEAR EARLY VICTORY TALK COULD MAKE VOTERS COMPLACENT AND HAMPER TURNOUT<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNewsom just said \u2018the Democrats need to focus on ending Trump\u2019s presidency in 28 days\u2019 while these two grifters are out of the country \u2014 and we wonder why the MAGA base may have an enthusiasm gap,\u201d Bannon told <em>Politico<\/em>. \u201cWe need a forensic audit of where the money went so the president has the information to hold people accountable.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A Trump White House ally, however, dismissed the scrutiny: \u201cIf not for this story being published, no one involved in the midterms would have even known he took the trip, because [Blair] was working quite literally around the clock on races. James literally hosted a Saturday team meeting to review &#038; make big strategic decisions.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-26\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-5\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Trump: No conflicts from advisers working for Balkans gov<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2652,"featured_media":2677991,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/AP26279764496320.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[5295,4198,85370,5894,3634],"class_list":["post-2677990","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-distancing","tag-lobbying","tag-political-aides","tag-politics","tag-trump"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/AP26279764496320.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2677990","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2652"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2677990"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2677990\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2677995,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2677990\/revisions\/2677995"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2677991"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2677990"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2677990"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2677990"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}