President Donald Trump called U.S. Rep. Max Miller on Aug. 3, as pressure mounts for Miller to drop his re-election bid, sources told the Beacon Journal.
Trump expressed worries about Miller’s ability to win in November, Axios reported.
“It’s not looking good for you,” the president said to Miller, according to Axios. “I’m hearing from people you’re not going to win.”
That phone call apparently didn’t sway Miller from his determination to remain in the Northeast Ohio congressional race, despite calls for his resignation because of domestic-abuse allegations. Miller made an announcement on X Sunday morning in which he said he was still running and reiterated that he’s never abused his ex-wife or their daughter.
“If I dropped out of this race it would mean we as a nation have fallen so far from our American values,” Miller said in a statement he released Aug. 3. “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. I have done well representing my constituent’s interests. Why would I drop out?”
Miller announced that he planned to continue his re-election bid as the deadline was fast approaching for Republicans to replace him on the November ballot. Aug. 10 is the deadline, but party leaders would need to schedule and hold a meeting to pick a substitute days before then.
Miller represents the 7th district, which covers Medina and Ashland counties and parts of Cuyahoga and Wayne counties. He was first elected in 2022 and previously served several roles in Trump’s first administration.
Miller calls for ethics investigation into himself
Miller announced on X on Aug 5 that he is going to ask for an ethics investigation of himself “to clear my name from these horrific attacks on myself and family.”
“I have absolutely nothing to hide,” Miller said, adding that he would provide the House Ethics on Committee with documentation.
The Democratic Women’s Caucus called on the ethics committee last week to investigate Miller, calling the abuse allegations against him “deeply disturbing” and saying “Congress can’t ignore them.”
Miller represents the 7th district, which covers Medina and Ashland counties and parts of Cuyahoga and Wayne counties. He was first elected in 2022 and previously served several roles in Trump’s first administration.
Miller and Moreno are in an ugly custody dispute
Miller and his ex-wife, Emily Moreno, the daughter of Sen. Bernie Moreno, divorced in June 2025, but are in the middle of a heated custody battle involving their 2-year-old daughter.
They currently have a shared-parenting plan but are both seeking sole custody, with a trial scheduled for Nov. 5.
Moreno has alleged that Miller has been abusive toward her both before and after their marriage, including claiming he threw boiling water on her, shoved her against a wall and held a gun to her head.
Miller continued to deny that he ever abused his wife or their daughter in his announcement on X and blamed his ex-wife’s mental health problems for the untrue allegations. Moreno’s attorneys have denied that she has mental health issues.
Miller has never faced any criminal charges regarding any of the alleged abuse.
Miller’s abuse allegations were first reported by the Beacon Journal in early June and have recently garnered national media attention, including from the New York Times.
In an interview with the Beacon Journal on June 2, Miller said he hadn’t abused his ex-wife or any other woman.
“Absolutely not,” he said.
Sen. Bernie Moreno comes out against son-in-law
Sen. Bernie Moreno had remained silent about the ugly battle between Miller and his daughter until Miller’s announcement on X on Aug. 2.
Moreno posted on X that Miller “is a danger to my daughter, and I hold my breath every minute he has custody of my granddaughter.” He said Miller shouldn’t serve in Congress.
Jim Renacci, a former congressman who now chairs the Medina County Republican Party, said Aug. 3 that Moreno should have voiced his concerns before the primary so someone else could have run. Miller ran unopposed but faces competition in November from Democrat Brian Poindexter.
With rumors swirling that he could be the replacement candidate, Renacci said Aug. 4 that Miller isn’t dropping out.
“Until that changes, nothing changes,” he said.
Asked if he would run if Miller bowed out, Renacci said, “I would need to evaluate the situation before making a decision, but, until that time, Max is the candidate.”
Stephanie Warsmith can be reached at swarsmith@thebeacon journal.com or 330-996-3705. State bureau reporter Jessie Balmert contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Trump calls Rep. Max Miller as pressure mounts for Miller to drop out
Reporting by Stephanie Warsmith, Akron Beacon Journal / Akron Beacon Journal
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By Stephanie Warsmith, Akron Beacon Journal | USA TODAY Network
