Earlier this summer, Devin Nunes, the CEO of Trump Media and a former California congressman, arrived just outside Skopje, the capital of North Macedonia.
Nunes and a small group of other North American executives were there to discuss business. However, they were not meeting with another company but were instead greeted by a high-ranking official from the Macedonian government on the tarmac outside their private jet. Following this, a police escort transported them from the airport to meet the newly elected prime minister of the Balkan nation.
Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski, the leader of North Macedonia’s conservative nationalist party, provided few specifics about the meeting’s purpose at the time: “For now, I would not reveal this type of details,” he told local reporters who covered the meeting.
In a recent earnings call, Chris Pavlovski, who accompanied Nunes on the trip and is the CEO of Rumble, a video streaming company and close partner of Trump Media, disclosed discussions about a cloud technology services deal with the Macedonian government.
This meeting marks the first known instance of former President Donald Trump’s media company engaging directly with a foreign government, one that is eager for potential assistance from a future Trump administration on various security, economic, and diplomatic issues.
In his public statements, the prime minister highlighted the delegation’s political connections, describing Nunes and another attendee as “two of the closest associates of former president of the United States Donald Trump.”
As Trump campaigns for a second term, ethics experts have cautioned about potential opportunities for influence due to his significant stake in Trump Media and its platform Truth Social. Business relationships with the social media enterprise could be used by advertisers, vendors, or investors with political agendas to seek favorable treatment from a possible Trump administration.
A Trump Media spokesperson did not respond to detailed questions regarding the company’s role or whether any agreement had been reached. The spokesperson only provided a statement: “The ProPublica geniuses, much to our dismay, have discovered Devin Nunes’ secret plan to reconstitute Alexander the Great’s empire and get Chris Pavlovski named King of Macedon.”
Spokespeople for the Trump campaign, Rumble, and the Macedonian prime minister did not respond to questions.
During Trump’s presidency, there were concerns that foreign governments sought favor by patronizing his businesses, including his Washington, D.C., hotel. Despite pledges to avoid new foreign deals, Trump’s businesses had numerous overseas dealings. Should the Macedonian government finalize a deal with Trump Media or its partners and if Trump is re-elected, it could represent another instance where his private business interests intersect with U.S. foreign policy.
“They want an in with Trump,” said a U.S. government official involved in Eastern European issues, noting North Macedonia’s desire for U.S. support in diplomatic disputes with its neighbors. “We have enormous leverage.”
Nunes was joined on the July trip by Pavlovski and Howard Lutnick, a Trump donor and Wall Street executive.
Pavlovski, a Canadian whose parents are from North Macedonia, has long supported the country. He co-founded an IT outsourcing firm employing software developers in North Macedonia, which has provided services to Trump Media. ProPublica previously reported that Trump Media contracted with Pavlovski’s outsourcing firm and secured a special visa for a Macedonian coder who is now the company’s chief technology officer.
During a recent investor call, Pavlovski mentioned multiple meetings with the Macedonian prime minister, discussing Rumble Cloud’s possible involvement in the country’s digital transformation. Prime Minister Mickoski expressed enthusiasm publicly for a potential partnership with Rumble, drawing a comparison to a $500 million tech services deal announced last year between El Salvador and Google.
Trump Media’s business operations are closely linked with Rumble, which provides ad sale services and cloud services to Trump Media. Rumble also has a significant deal with Trump Media board member Donald Trump Jr. for his show “Triggered.”
The headquarters of Trump Media is in Sarasota, Florida, near Rumble’s U.S. headquarters. The companies are so closely affiliated that Rumble staff worked out of Trump Media’s offices in 2022 during renovations.
Images from the group’s trip to North Macedonia depict the media executives receiving high-level attention. Pavlovski shared on Instagram their “legit police escort” from the airport.
The Macedonian government shared images showing Nunes meeting with the prime minister and the country’s president. The government minister in charge of digital transformation hinted at potential business deals, mentioning the transformative investment potential offered by these companies.
North Macedonia, a landlocked country that declared independence in 1991, relies heavily on U.S. support, including substantial foreign aid. The U.S. has been pivotal in its diplomatic endeavors, such as aiding North Macedonia’s NATO admission and supporting its bid to join the European Union amidst opposition from neighboring countries.
Trump Media’s venture represents a significant part of Trump’s financial portfolio since its launch in 2021. Despite its low revenue and modest market performance, the company still holds a considerable market valuation buoyed by Trump’s popularity.
Former Trump officials have also been active in the Balkans post-administration. Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, is pursuing real estate deals in Albania and Serbia with his investment firm funded by Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern nations. Richard Grenell, formerly a U.S. ambassador and Trump’s special envoy, has been involved in similar regional activities and maintains his involvement with right-wing parties globally.
Grenell’s trip to North Macedonia, which occurred a few weeks after the Trump Media visit, involved discussions about foreign investments, particularly in hydropower projects. There is no evidence that these trips were connected.
This situation typifies how Trump’s private business interests could align with U.S. foreign policy if he is re-elected, a scenario warranting careful scrutiny.