By Alayna Treene, Kristen Holmes, Dana Bash, CNN
(CNN) – President Donald Trump on Wednesday separated himself from two of his key political advisers – just under 30 days before the midterm elections – stating that if their outside activities create a conflict, “I will terminate them, immediately!”
Trump’s statement followed a report by The New York Times revealing how James Blair, one of the president’s former deputy chiefs of staff who now leads his external political operation, and Chris La Civita, Trump’s co-campaign manager for 2024, went to the Balkans last week for paid work with a pro-Russian government.
Trump was not aware that the two had traveled to the Balkans – or that this pro-Russian government was one of their clients – until he was informed about the upcoming New York Times article, sources familiar with the situation told CNN. The president then made several phone calls Tuesday night to ask his allies what they thought about the story, according to those sources.
One source noted that Trump seemed annoyed, while another seasoned Republican in contact with him said he was “pissed” about the report – especially regarding the news that both advisers had been overseas during this critical phase of the midterm campaign while benefiting financially from their association with him.
“Tone deaf,” said the veteran Republican when describing the advisers’ actions.
However, another source indicated that Trump was merely looking for various opinions on what had been reported.
Trump – who has been actively supporting Republicans ahead of November’s midterms – ultimately chose to address the story. So on Wednesday, one source mentioned he dictated a Truth Social post to aide Natalie Harp while in the Oval Office. He remarked to those present that both Blair and La Civita are outside consultants and have permission to work with other clients. At that moment, he didn’t appear upset.
“Chris La Civita 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 posted.
“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.
The president continued distancing himself from these advisers and minimized any potential conflict later on Wednesday. “They don’t have a conflict because they’re independent people,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.
“I assume they have a lot of clients,” he added. “So I don’t know their contract. If I thought they had a conflict … I would terminate.”
He also pointed out that neither is currently employed at the White House.
“Well they’re allowed to do that,” Trump told CNN. “They have a lot of clients and it’s okay. I’m a client over there; they have a consulting firm I guess separately like many people in Washington do. That’s pretty common.”
According to The Times report, Blair and La Civita went to Republika Srpska in Bosnia and Herzegovina ahead of elections taking place there on Sunday. This trip coincides with polling suggesting Republicans face serious challenges in upcoming elections across America.
Blair and La Civita “were paid hundreds of thousands of dollars each through a Washington-based law firm retained by Republika Srpska’s government for counsel on voting issues,” reported The Times.
They claimed their work was directed at government needs rather than at controlling nationalist party interests; however, these entities are largely intertwined.
Blair currently heads up Trump’s super PAC MAGA Inc., overseeing strategy for midterm elections. La Civita serves as a senior adviser at MAGA Inc.
This group has been spending tens of millions attempting to support Republican candidates before the midterms-some even in traditionally red areas now appearing vulnerable.
This story has been updated with additional developments.
The-CNN-Wire
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CNN’s Kevin Liptak contributed to this report.
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