Rep. Max Miller’s attempt to fight back against mounting allegations of abuse may have created a brand-new political problem: convincing fellow Republicans that he should remain in Congress.
The Ohio Republican, already facing calls to resign from members of his own party, appeared Tuesday on CNN with Jake Tapper in what quickly became one of the most talked-about political interviews of the week.
🤯 Rep. Max Miller’s interview with Jake Tapper is an utter trainwreck 🤯
Miller went on CNN to try to push back against credible accusations that he abused his ex-wife and child, but he only made things worse for himself. He threatened his ex-wife’s father (Sen. Bernie Moreno)… pic.twitter.com/BGOIcKIdKx
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) August 4, 2026
Tapper opened by walking through accusations from multiple women who have alleged violent behavior by Miller over a period of years. Before the host could finish listing the allegations, Miller interrupted.
Tapper fired back:
“Hold on… I’m not done with the list of women that have accused you of violence.”
The exchange immediately went viral.
The accusations include claims by Miller’s ex-wife, Emily Moreno—the daughter of Ohio Sen. Bernie Moreno—that Miller pointed a gun at her, threw scalding water on her, shoved her into a wall and caused injuries to their young daughter. Miller has categorically denied every allegation.
Former Trump White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham has also accused Miller of abusive behavior stemming from their previous relationship. Miller has denied those claims as well. A third woman has alleged Miller assaulted her while they were teenagers, an allegation he likewise disputes.
Asked whether all three women were lying, Miller answered simply:
“Yes.”
Rather than focusing on the specific allegations, Miller pivoted to President Donald Trump.
“In 2016, when President Donald J. Trump faced the most extreme allegations in the world… people said he would have no shot at winning… But guess what? He stayed in and he was resilient.”
That comparison appears to have landed poorly—even among Republicans.
CNN contributor and GOP strategist Scott Jennings delivered perhaps the most damaging review of the interview.
“I found no reason, just as a Republican watching it, why I would want that person, above all other Republicans who live in that district, to serve in the U.S. Congress.”
CNN’s Sarah Ferris later reported that another Republican operative reacted even more bluntly:
“I mean what the absolute f*** was that?”
New York Times reporter Jonathan Swan added his own assessment on social media:
“I’ve never seen anything like it.”
The criticism comes as Miller’s political position continues to deteriorate.
The House Ethics Committee has now opened a formal investigation into allegations involving domestic violence, child endangerment and possible illegal drug use. Interestingly, Miller himself has asked the committee to investigate, saying he wants the allegations fully examined because he has “absolutely nothing to hide.”
Meanwhile, Axios reported that President Trump privately phoned Miller to tell him his reelection prospects were dim, reportedly saying “things aren’t looking good.” Publicly, however, Trump has stopped short of calling on Miller to resign, describing the situation as “very sad” while emphasizing that the allegations remain accusations.
Adding to the pressure, Sen. Bernie Moreno has publicly declared that his former son-in-law should no longer serve in Congress, arguing that the allegations are too serious to ignore. Several other Republican lawmakers have echoed calls for Miller to step aside as the filing deadline for replacing candidates approaches.
For now, Miller insists he is staying in the race.
When Scott Jennings, who defends Republicans for a living, says he saw no reason for Miller to stay in Congress, that’s not just bad cable television. That’s a five-alarm political fire.
If your own team walks away from the interview more concerned than when it started, you’ve got a much bigger problem than the media.
DBS WIRE SOURCES:
- Mediaite: “What the Absolute F*ck Was That?” Scandal-Ridden House Republican’s CNN Interview Baffles GOP Strategists
- Reuters: Embattled U.S. Representative Max Miller requests ethics probe of abuse claims against him
- Associated Press: House Ethics Committee opens investigation into domestic abuse allegations against Rep. Max Miller
- Axios: Max Miller doubles down on staying in Ohio House race
