Trump discusses Ohio Rep. Max Miller's campaign amid abuse allegations
President Trump spoke with Rep. Max Miller about the Ohio lawmaker's reelection bid after the representative faced multiple accusations of assaulting his ex-wife and daughter.
President Donald Trump called Ohio Rep. Max Miller on Monday to discuss concerns about the Republican's reelection campaign after allegations surfaced that Miller assaulted his ex-wife, Emily Moreno, and their two-year-old daughter. Miller, who denies the accusations, told the president he intends to stay in the race and cited internal campaign polling that he says shows a strong position for reelection.
The call was first reported by Axios. A campaign source said the internal poll still places Miller ahead despite the recent allegations, though the poll has not been independently verified.
"If I dropped out of this race, it would mean we as a nation have fallen so far from our American values. I will not validate false claims by removing myself just to please the court of public opinion. I am innocent of all of the allegations that have been attributed to me," Miller said in a statement to CBS News.
Emily Moreno, the daughter of Ohio Sen. Bernie Moreno, has filed court papers and police reports alleging that Miller threw her against a wall during a February custody exchange, causing a clavicle fracture and a bruise on their daughter. She also claims Miller threw hot water at her in 2024 and pointed a gun at her in 2023. Moreno recently asked a court to issue a restraining order preventing Miller from contacting her attorney.
Miller has rejected the accusations, accusing his ex-wife of defamation and alleging she is abusing their daughter. In a livestream on X, he said the timing of the allegations appears intended to affect the custody dispute and referenced an April letter from county investigators that closed a probe into the alleged abuse of his daughter as "unsubstantiated."
"These are incredibly serious criminal accusations, and if these accusations were true, I would be in jail," Miller said.
Stefan Mychajliw, a spokesman for Emily Moreno, called Miller's livestream "shameful" and "lie-filled," and said there is documented evidence of violent behavior. He added that Miller could not lie under oath.
Sen. Bernie Moreno, whose daughter is the alleged victim, said Miller should not serve in Congress, describing him as a danger to his daughter and calling for professional help.
Miller is seeking a third term in the House, running unopposed in the Republican primary and facing Democratic nominee Brian Poindexter in November.