Macedonian-born U.S. businessman Nikola Andreevski from Chicago attended a high-profile fundraising event for Iowa congressional candidate Joe Mitchell, held at Mar-a-Lago, the private resort owned by U.S. President Donald Trump.
Nikola Andreevski with Iowa Congressional Candidate Joe Mitchell
The gathering brought together several prominent political figures, including Tom Emmer, Majority Whip of the U.S. House of Representatives, and Jason Smith, who serves as Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee—one of the most powerful committees in Congress, responsible for shaping policies related to taxes, trade, tariffs, and major economic issues.
From left to right: Nikola Andreevski; Tom Emmer, Majority Whip; and Dragoslav Pavlovic, Mayor of Niš.
This was not the first time Andreevski and members of the Balkan business community participated in such an event. In May 2025, they also attended a fundraising gathering at Mar-a-Lago alongside Rod Blagojevich, the former Governor of Illinois, further strengthening connections between Balkan-American entrepreneurs and influential figures in U.S. politics.
Nikola Andreevski and Rod Blagojevich
During the event, Andreevski, accompanied by fellow Balkan business leaders, engaged with U.S. political figures and highlighted the growing presence of the Macedonian and Balkan business diaspora, emphasizing their role in connecting Macedonia with key economic and political networks in the United States.
Among the notable attendees was Eric Branstad, son of former Iowa Governor and former U.S. Ambassador to China Terry Branstad, who also served as a senior advisor to Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign in Iowa.
The event also highlighted the increasing role of the Macedonian business diaspora in the United States, which is becoming more actively involved in building connections with American institutions and exploring opportunities for economic cooperation with Macedonia. Such engagements are seen as an important step toward attracting investment, creating jobs, and strengthening economic ties between the two countries.
The event was considered a major success, reinforcing ties between members of the Balkan business community in the United States and influential circles within American politics.
