Congressman refuses to drop out of race as he stumbles to clear name over claims he physically ABUSED his daughter and ex-wife

By VICTORIA CHURCHILL, US POLITICAL REPORTER Published: 16:13, 2 August 2026 | Updated: 16:25, 2 August 2026 Ohio Republican Congressman Max Miller addressed allegations of abuse made by his ex-wife, Emily Moreno, in a live-stream video on X on Sunday morning. Miller has been accused of Moreno, the daughter of GOP Senator Bernie Moreno, of physically abusing her, and their young daughter. Miller denied all allegations that have been made against him by his ex-wife during his live stream. 'Let me begin with the most painful accusation of all, I have never abused our daughter,' Miller stated, clearly reading off a script. 'I also want to address the allegations of domestic abuse. I categorically deny abusing my former wife,' he continued. He also defiantly stated, 'these are incredibly serious criminal accusations,' concluding, 'if these accusations were true, I would be in jail. I would be.'  A number of times during his remarks, Miller seemed to struggle with reading his prepared remarks. His political team also released a slew of documents on Sunday that he believes address all allegations made against him by his ex-wife. Addressing his political future, Miller noted, 'I'm not getting out of this race, and I'm winning in November, and I'll be back in 120th.'  Ohio Congressman Max Miller addressed on Sunday morning allegations of abuse made against him by his ex-wife, Emily Moreno Photos obtained exclusively by the Daily Mail show the injuries Emily documented on her arms and torso the day of the alleged incident, with additional images taken the following day, February 2 An earlier incident on June 9, 2024, saw the Congressman allegedly hurl a pot of boiling water at Emily during an argument inside their Ohio home, with some of the water striking her chest while their then eight-month-old daughter was present, multiple sources with direct knowledge said Miller had faced calls to both resign immediately and not seek reelection. The abuse claims originally reported by the Daily Mail trace back to June 9, 2024, when tensions between the couple first erupted. During an argument inside their Ohio home about their marriage and custody of their daughter, the Congressman allegedly hurled a pot of boiling water at Emily. Multiple sources with direct knowledge of the incident say some of the water struck Emily's chest, with their daughter looking on. Emily documented her injuries the same day in a photo that appears to show redness across her upper chest. A handwritten letter allegedly written by Miller to Moreno, the same day as the boiling water incident, shows the Congressman apologizing to his then-wife for failing to protect her, though he does not admit to any physical abuse. In the letter, reviewed by the Daily Mail, Miller tells Emily that nothing in his life matters more than her and their daughter Ruth, and writes that he wishes he could close his eyes and wake up to find everything back to normal. He calls himself worthless and says his guilt is eating him alive, while repeatedly telling Emily he loves her. 'I don't know what to do. I do know you love me, protect me, and care for me. I failed to do that for you,' Miller allegedly wrote. 'I'm sorry and I just want to close my eyes and wake up and everything be normal. Miller has faced physical assault allegations from previous partners, including former Trump White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham.  Miller's relationship with Grisham came to an end in 2020 when he allegedly pushed her against a wall and slapped her after she accused him of cheating, according to a 2020 Politico report. In October 2021, Grisham wrote an op-ed for the Washington Post claiming that the Trumps 'didn't seem to care' when she told them her relationship with Miller had turned 'abusive.' Miller filed a libel suit against Grisham in 2021, which was later dismissed with prejudice before reaching a jury trial. One source told the Daily Mail in May that Miller often uses litigation and the expenses that come with it to silence women accusing him of physical abuse. 'He's a rich boy,' a senior insider told the Daily Mail at the time. 'So anytime anyone speaks out, he uses litigation and the expenses that come with it to keep them quiet.' In April, news reports surfaced that Bay Village police were conducting an active investigation into suspected child abuse involving the couple's two-year-old daughter, who suffered a broken collarbone and bruised shoulder. On March 4, Moreno filed a motion demanding a change in their custody arrangement, accusing the Congressman of 'dangerous physical behavior in the child's presence.' 'I do not believe it is in our child's best interest for [Max] and me to jointly make a decision for her. I fear that attempting to make joint decisions, and the lack of cooperation from [Max] in doing so, will cause direct harm to [their child],' Moreno wrote in the filings at the time. The daughter's injuries triggered a separate investigation by the Cuyahoga County Department of Children and Family Services, according to TMZ. Miller claimed in a March 13 court filing that he was 'apparently cleared' by authorities, though prior reporting has noted that the police investigation is technically still listed as active.