President Donald Trump reportedly called Republican Congressman Max Miller to let him know that “things aren’t looking good” for his reelection prospects following accusations that he assaulted his ex-wife and their child.
Citing three unnamed sources, Axios detailed that, during the call, the president told Miller that getting reelection would be difficult given the allegations. Miller, who has denied them, told the president he planned to stay in the race.
Miller in 2022 married Emily Moreno, the daughter of Ohio Republican Sen. Bernie Moreno. The couple filed for divorce in 2024. The abuse allegations have come out as part of an ongoing custody battle, the New York Times reported.
According to the newspaper, Moreno has accused Miller of scalding her chest and stomach with hot water, putting a gun against her head, and slamming her against a wall. Miller also has been accused of fracturing their daughter’s collarbone.
The newspaper reported that Miller, in denying the allegations, has said that his wife has “significant mental health challenges.” He also called her a liar and a stalker.
“If these accusations were true, I would be in jail,” Miller said.
On Sunday, Senator Bernie Moreno broke his silence on the matter with a lengthy post on social media. He said he chose to say something publicly due to Miller’s “increasingly erratic and dangerous behavior.”
“As he has admitted privately, Max Miller needs serious psychological help. He is a danger to my daughter, and I hold my breath every minute he has custody of my granddaughter. If there are any basic standards of character required to hold elected office, Max Miller fails them,” Moreno wrote.
Axios reported that the couple was married at Trump’s golf club in New Jersey. Miller was a former Trump staff member, and Trump endorsed him when he ran for and won Ohio’s 7th congressional seat in 2022.
Trump has avoided chastising Miller publicly. “It’s a very sad thing. I know Max. He’s a good person. I mean, I always thought he was a very good person, and I’m going to let the families figure that out,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office, according to The Hill.
Miller would have to drop out of the race by the end of Tuesday, August 4, for the Republican Party to be able to replace him on the ballot. If he were to drop out, the party would have to hold a special primary to replace him.
