The Latest: GOP fears grow that even $1 billion may not buy midterm victory

President Donald Trump on Wednesday suggested he may cut loose two outside advisers who outraged Republican operatives following a report they were in the Balkans consulting for a pro-Russian government last week as midterm campaign season heats up. Republicans are increasingly anxious that the $1 billion at their disposal may not be enough to fend off sweeping midterm election losses as the party reckons with President Donald Trump’s unpopularity, persistent cost concerns and the fallout from the war in Iran. Despite their cash advantage, the spending is coming in late, forcing MAGA Inc.

to pay much higher rates because of the shrinking availability of air time.Trump's Department of Homeland Security proposed a $70,000 fee on Wednesday for each international student seeking to work in the United States after they graduate, as it seeks to reduce foreign enrollment in U.S. DHS says requiring universities to pay the fees will shut down a “pipeline for cheap foreign labor.”And the White House said Trump will announce Wednesday that all Americans under age 18 are being automatically enrolled in Trump Accounts. The accounts are linked to Social Security numbers and require using a Trump Accounts app.

The White House said automatic enrollment makes it easier for families to participate. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and philanthropists Michael and Susan Dell are expected to attend.The Latest:Trump says he could cut ties with advisers over work in the Balkans during midtermsTrump says he will press two of his top political advisers on their outside consulting work amid scrutiny over their efforts to help a pro-Russian government in the Balkans.The New York Times reported Tuesday that as Trump was campaigning last week ahead of next month’s midterm elections, advisers James Blair and Chris LaCivita were in Bosnia-Herzegovina’s Serb-majority entity of Republika Srpska assisting with local elections.“Chris LaCivita and James Blair are outside consultants,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social site. “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!” he wrote.Blair served as White House deputy chief of staff before departing to lead Trump’s outside political operation.

LaCivita was co-manager of his winning 2024 campaign.The two did not immediately respond to requests for comment.Rubio says standing of Western civilization is at risk if countries don’t ‘reclaim’ national powerStanding in front of the ruins of the Acropo…