Trump Campaign Manager’s Past Social Media Activity Draws Attention Post January 6 Events
In the aftermath of the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack, several key Republican figures distanced themselves from then-President Donald Trump. Among them was Chris LaCivita, who has since taken on the role of managing Trump’s campaign. At the time of the insurrection, LaCivita’s posts on X (formerly known as Twitter) labeled the event as an “insurrection” prompted by Trump’s unfounded electoral fraud claims.
Although many of LaCivita’s posts have been deleted, CNN was able to retrieve them via the Internet Archive’s WayBack Machine. These posts showed LaCivita, along with others in Trump’s circle, expressing disapproval of the violence, which they attributed to Trump’s false statements. One such post was a shared statement from former President George W. Bush, denouncing the Capitol riot as “a sickening and heartbreaking sight” and criticizing political leaders who failed to uphold democratic values.
On the day of the attack, LaCivita reposted messages that criticized Trump, suggesting that some of Trump’s allies were concerned about the consequences of his misinformation. Despite this, LaCivita later clarified to CNN that his retweets and likes did not imply endorsement, stating, “Retweets and likes are not endorsements. I’m focused on winning the election two weeks from now, and not distractions from CNN.”
Among the content LaCivita interacted with was a statement from former Republican Congresswoman Barbara Comstock. She advocated using the 25th Amendment to remove Trump from office, a call LaCivita appeared to support by liking her tweet. The post read, “Twitter locked @realDonaldTrump for 12 hours. Now the Cabinet needs to lock him down for the next 14 days. #25thAmendmentNow.”
Though X has since removed features that allow users to view others’ likes, a user confirmed to CNN that LaCivita liked their supportive post regarding the 25th Amendment. This constitutional measure allows for the removal of a president deemed unfit for office.
LaCivita also shared a commentary from a GOP Senate aide, criticizing the riot’s tragic results and holding Trump, along with Senators Ted Cruz and Josh Hawley, accountable for exploiting the falsehoods that led to the violence. Additionally, a deleted post from LaCivita’s account referred to the rioters as “thugs,” contrasting sharply with Trump’s later description of the day as “a day of love and peace.”
As Trump continues his campaign, he has attempted to reframe the January 6 events, propagating conspiracy theories suggesting federal government orchestration of the riot. Trump has even hinted at potentially pardoning individuals convicted of violent acts if re-elected, reiterating his supporters’ belief in a rigged election during a recent town hall.
This ongoing defense of his supporters by Trump stands in contrast to LaCivita’s earlier condemnation. However, LaCivita, now as Trump’s campaign manager, seems to be focusing on future electoral success, minimizing his previous comments on the insurrection.
LaCivita is a veteran Republican strategist, known for his involvement in prominent campaigns both in Virginia and across the nation. He first gained widespread attention during the 2004 presidential race for his work with the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, which sought to undermine Democratic nominee John Kerry’s military record.
