Embattled Congressman Max Miller confesses to illegal drug use on live TV... but swears the needles were for 'therapy'

By VICTORIA CHURCHILL, US POLITICAL REPORTER Published: 22:37, 4 August 2026 | Updated: 22:50, 4 August 2026 Congressman Max Miller, beating back allegations he beat his ex-wife and their young daughter, appeared on CNN Tuesday in his latest attempt to clear his name amid the mushrooming political fallout.  Miller told host Jake Tapper that it was 'several years ago' when he used illegal drugs. The admission came when Tapper when asked about photographs of needles that his ex-wife Emily Moreno took, allegedly by Miller's bedside. Miller said he had been taking testosterone therapy. An image exclusively obtained by the Daily Mail shows a syringe in Miller's bedroom, which, if true, appears to directly contradict his own recorded denial that he ever had needles by his bed.  Miller also requested an ethics investigation into himself in a bid to clear his name, per a release filed earlier on Tuesday. He also released a trove of audio recordings on Sunday between himself and his ex wife - which may have proved counterproductive. Miller was accused by Moreno of drug use in the recordings he released, which she says was the ‘impetus’ of her decision to leave. He denied the drug use. An individual appearing to be Miller was also seen in a photo smiling while holding a bag of high-potency marijuana gummies, each containing 15 times the legal California limit of the substance. There is no proof Miller consumed the gummies or that the photographed syringe was his or what it contained. This image appears to have been taken by Emily Moreno inside the home she shared with Miller, a source familiar with the matter told the Daily Mail Miller appeared on CNN Tuesday for an interview with Jake Tapper Emily Moreno is the daughter of Republican Senator Bernie Moreno of Ohio, who broke months of silence over the weekend to call for his former son-in-law's resignation, saying he should not hold public office and is a ‘danger’ to his daughter. President Donald Trump reportedly told the under-fire representative in private that his campaign was ‘not looking good.' In a lengthy livestream on X Sunday morning, Miller wholly denied all allegations of physical abuse that his wife, Emily Moreno, daughter of Ohio Republican Senator Bernie Moreno, has been accusing him of for the last few years since their divorce. Miller also released years of audio and video recordings of various moments in his relationship with his ex-wife, attempting to prove his innocence to the public. In one of the audio recordings secretly recorded and released by Miller, Emily Moreno accused him of drug use. In the secretly recorded audio conversations by Miller, Emily Moreno asked him, 'You've never recorded one of our conversations?' 'I don't,' he responded. 'I have never gone into your cellphone. And I've never gone into your computer. And I've never sneaked into your backpack,' Miller said. Emily Moreno then admitted to going through his backpack 'because I truly do believe you have a drug problem.' According to the audio recording, she said that she was concerned about his usage of marijuana, and also found needles by his bed, which she allegedly took photos of. She called it a 'huge impetus for why I left' in the recordings released by Miller. Senator Bernie Moreno, Emily's father, and Miller's ex-father-in-law, unleashed on Miller in a lengthy post on X on Sunday morning about an hour after Miller's broadcast. '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,' Bernie Moreno wrote. 'If there are any basic standards of character required to hold elected office, Max Miller fails them. He should not serve in the House of Representatives. I believe Max Miller needs to seek professional help to end the clear pattern of abuse he has left in his wake. I believe he should not be free to continue endangering others until he does,' he added. In his Sunday video address, Miller also levied an accusation that Emily Moreno 'has struggled with significant mental health challenges.' Her spokesperson fought back against the claims.