Milorad Dodik, the former president of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Republika Srpska entity, is expected to attend a gathering of influential American conservatives at President Donald Trump‘s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, according to a report by The Atlantic.
The event, scheduled for November 4–7, will bring together Republican lawmakers, political donors and figures associated with Trump’s Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement.
Dodik’s planned attendance comes amid renewed attention to his political connections in Washington and lobbying efforts by the Republika Srpska government.
The Atlantic reported that several people familiar with Dodik’s travel arrangements confirmed his plans, although they cautioned that details could change.
Conservative Leaders to Gather After Midterm Elections
The event, called the CPAC Circle Retreat and Gala, is organized by the Conservative Political Action Conference.
Participants are expected to discuss the results of the November 3 U.S. midterm elections and the Republican Party’s political strategy ahead of the 2028 presidential election.
Among the announced speakers are Republican Senators Mike Lee of Utah and Rick Scott of Florida, along with other prominent conservative figures.
A gala dinner is scheduled for November 5 at Mar-a-Lago.
However, Dodik’s participation has not been officially confirmed by organizers.
Matt Schlapp, chairman of the American Conservative Union, declined to disclose the names of guests who are not scheduled speakers.
It is also unclear whether President Trump will personally attend the gathering.
Dodik’s Washington Connections Draw Attention
Dodik, who remains the leader of the Alliance of Independent Social Democrats (SNSD), has maintained considerable political influence in Republika Srpska despite losing his position as entity president following a court ruling.
His political activities have long attracted international scrutiny because of his challenges to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s state institutions and his close relationship with Russia.
The Biden administration imposed sanctions on Dodik in 2022, accusing him of undermining the Dayton Peace Agreement and engaging in corruption.
Those sanctions were lifted by the Trump administration in October 2025.
According to The Atlantic, Republika Srpska has spent millions of dollars on lobbying efforts in the United States, including work involving political consultants connected to Trump’s circle.
The magazine links Dodik’s expected appearance in Florida to those efforts and to changes in Washington’s approach toward Republika Srpska.
The possibility of his participation has also raised questions about the future of U.S. policy toward Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Dayton Peace Agreement, which ended the Bosnian war in 1995, established the country’s current constitutional framework.
While Dodik has repeatedly advocated greater autonomy and independence for Republika Srpska, international officials have warned that separatist moves could threaten regional stability.
For now, his reported visit remains a planned appearance at a conservative political gathering, not an official meeting with President Trump.
Whether Dodik ultimately attends, and whom he meets during the event, will become clearer when the gathering begins later this week.
