Trump backs away from top aides who reportedly advised pro-Russia government

Key Points:

• Donald Trump distanced himself from two top advisers, Chris LaCivita and James Blair, after reports emerged that they spent a weekend assisting a pro-Russia government in the Balkans, stating he was unaware of their other work and would terminate them if conflicts arose.
• LaCivita and Blair, both long-time Trump associates, traveled to Republika Srpska in Bosnia and Herzegovina to aid the local government ahead of elections, reportedly receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars for their work.
• Both advisers are currently involved with Maga Inc, the Trump-backed SuperPAC supporting Republican candidates in the upcoming US midterm elections, and continued to engage in campaign activities while abroad.
• Trump praised LaCivita and Blair in the past for their political expertise and roles within his campaigns, but his recent distancing comes amid concerns over potential conflicts of interest and the Republicans' challenges in key races.
• Despite Democrats leading in polls due to dissatisfaction with Trump's handling of economic issues, the Republican Party maintains a financial advantage heading into the midterms.