President Trump’s campaign all but called David Bossie a fraudster in a rare public rebuke. But after weeks out of the spotlight, the informal presidential adviser is said to be on track to return to Trump’s good graces.
Trump erupted last month after a report that a Bossie-led group raised millions but spent little on political activity. Some donors said the group’s presidential emblems and Pennsylvania Avenue address made them think they were giving to Trump’s campaign.
Allies of Bossie, who served as a Trump deputy campaign manager in 2016, contend his reputation was besmirched by rivals vying for influence, an argument they made in response to a stinging press release from Trump’s 2020 campaign.
One former White House official said they heard last week from an “important” source that “matters have been patched up.” Other sources said they were unaware of whether Trump and Bossie reconciled but said they expect it to happen.
“They will be fine, but don’t get carried away here,” a senior White House official said, casting doubt on whether Bossie and Trump already returned to good terms.
Trump’s break with Bossie, the longtime leader of Citizens United, came after a report from the Campaign Legal Center that the Bossie-led Presidential Coalition group raised $18.5 million in 2017 and 2018 but spent just $425,000 on political activities.
The little-known group spent much of its money on fundraising, along with a six-figure salary for Bossie. Additional funds went toward copies of Bossie’s book Trump’s Enemies, which he co-authored with former Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski.
In a scathing statement, Trump’s 2020 campaign called for “the appropriate authorities” to investigate, saying: “There is no excuse for any group, including ones run by people who claim to be part of our ‘coalition,’ to suggest they directly support President Trump’s re-election or any other candidates, when in fact their actions show they are interested in filling their own pockets with money from innocent Americans’ paychecks, and sadly, retirements.”
“The president was livid when he learned about what David Bossie’s group was doing,” a source close to the Trump campaign told the Washington Examiner last month. “He thought it was unconscionable to trick people into thinking they were donating to the Trump campaign when they were not.”
A Bossie ally offered a different perspective, which could allow for Bossie’s return to Trump’s orbit, as is often seen with fired former aides, with the possible exception of Steve Bannon, the former White House strategist who accused Trump’s son Donald Trump Jr. of treason.
“I don’t think there’s any ill will at all on the president’s part,” said the Bossie ally. “I don’t think there is any ill will whatsoever. I think the president recognizes all the work that Dave and his group have done over time, and continue to do.”
The ally said Bossie’s group spent money during Supreme Court confirmation battles for Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh, and that Bossie has a long personal history with Trump.
“Dave has been one of the closest friends to both Mr. Trump, candidate Trump and President Trump that he has in Washington, D.C. And the president knows that and respects Dave Bossie and all the work he has done to get him elected and support his agenda,” he said. “Long before he ran for office, Donald Trump was calling Dave Bossie, asking for his opinion and advice.”
The ally blamed the blowup on people “who don’t want to see [Trump] continue talking to those individuals who have his best interests in mind” and who “want to isolate individuals who he has relied on and seeks advice and counsel from.”
One person familiar with the dynamics of Trump’s relationships with former advisers said they suspect the harsh rebuke may give the relationship a longer pause, but that “almost assuredly [a reconciliation] happens in the long term.”
Spokespeople for the White House and Trump’s reelection campaign did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The IRS declined to comment on a potential investigation into the tax exempt 527 organization, saying it was prohibited by law from commenting on specific tax filers, and Fox News did not respond to an inquiry about Bossie’s absence from previously routine network appearances.
Bossie did not respond to numerous requests for comment.
