Top Trump political advisers donate fee for work on behalf of pro-Russian government after he floated firing them

By Kit Maher, CNN

(CNN) — Top Trump political advisers James Blair and Chris LaCivita have donated money they made earlier this month in the Balkans on behalf of a pro-Russian government to President Donald Trump’s presidential library.

“Yes, it’s true we donated our full fee. 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!” Blair posted on X, in response to a story from the New York Post, which was first to report the donations.

Also appearing to confirm the donation to Trump’s library, LaCivita posted, “Preserving the legacy and story of @realDonaldTrump is an honor and a no brainer !”

Trump on Friday called the donation to his presidential library “very nice,” telling reporters on the South Lawn that he’s no longer looking into whether their travel posed a conflict of interest.

“No, no, they took the money and they gave it to essentially a charity,” Trump said. “I just heard that. I think it was a very nice thing to do.”

Earlier this month, Trump said he would fire Blair and LaCivita as political advisers if their outside work turned out to present a conflict of interest.

“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!” Trump wrote at the time.

The New York Times reported that the pair traveled to the Balkans ahead of the country’s elections.

Blair and LaCivita “were paid hundreds of thousands of dollars each through a Washington-based law firm that was retained by Republika Srpska’s government to provide counsel on voting issues,” the Times reported.

The exact amount of the donation is unclear. CNN has reached out to the White House for comment

CNN previously reported that Trump was “pissed” by the Times report, according to a veteran Republican who is in touch with the president.

Blair leads Trump’s super PAC, MAGA Inc., and has been tasked with heading up the president’s midterm elections strategy. LaCivita is a senior adviser at MAGA Inc.

This story has been updated with additional developments.

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