Ohio Rep. Max Miller, a former Trump White House aide who has President Donald Trump's public endorsement in his reelection bid, is facing serious allegations from his ex‑wife, Emily Moreno. Court filings, a Feb. 23 Bay Village Police Department report and transcripts of Emily's testimony allege that Miller once held a handgun to her head, threatened his former father‑in‑law, Sen. Bernie Moreno, and that the couple's toddler described Miller's home as "scary." Miller denies the allegations.
Allegations And Reported Incidents
According to police and court documents obtained by news outlets, Emily Moreno told investigators that their young daughter had said, "Daddy kill you," and described the child's environment as "Daddy's house is scary." The filings say the toddler suffered a broken collarbone earlier this year; a child protective services review did not determine whether that injury was the result of abuse.
Then-candidate Max Miller embraces former President Donald Trump during a rally in Delaware, Ohio, on April 23, 2022.Credit: Eli Hiller/Bloomberg via Getty
Emily, 32, alleged a pattern of physical abuse and described multiple incidents to police, including being shoved, having hot water thrown on her and an incident she says occurred on Feb. 1 in which Miller "threw her against the wall," leaving a visible mark on her arm and bruising to her stomach while their daughter watched. She told police that on Feb. 25 Miller became upset when she turned on a light while changing the child and pointed a handgun at her head; audio of her interview was published by CNN in June.
Miller's Response And Legal Countermoves
Miller, 37, has denied the allegations and described the dispute as part of "a very nasty divorce." He sat for a recorded police interview after Emily's statement, during which he called her "very manipulative" and said she had a bipolar diagnosis; Emily's attorneys have denied such a diagnosis and Miller later acknowledged in a July 23, 2026 filing that he had no documentation to support the claim.
Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, speaks as President Donald Trump listens in the Oval Office on Dec. 3, 2025.Credit: Chip Somodevilla/Getty
There have been no criminal charges filed against Miller in connection with these allegations. Miller has pursued legal action of his own — including defamation claims — and at one point sought a civil protection order for himself and their child. That request was later dropped on July 28; sources and Miller's representatives said the judge required Miller to state he was no longer fearful of his ex‑wife before dismissing the petition.
Alleged Threats To Senator Moreno
Legal filings reviewed by reporters also include alleged threatening text messages to Sen. Bernie Moreno, Miller's former father‑in‑law and a fellow Ohio Republican. In a motion for a restraining order obtained by Mother Jones, Emily included an alleged text in which Miller wrote to Moreno: "I'm sick of this, you know I never hurt our daughter. Take this however you want, everyone is going to get to know you better than your wife does," and, "Enjoy the ride brother, I wouldn't have to do this if you could keep your lying daughter under control." Miller's camp has not publicly answered detailed questions about those messages.
White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham listens to President Donald Trump talk to reporters at the White House on Nov. 8, 2019.Credit: Chip Somodevilla/Getty
Political Context And Reactions
The allegations arrive as Republicans work to defend narrow House and Senate majorities during President Trump's second term. Trump publicly praised and endorsed Miller on May 5, calling him a "fantastic Champion" for Ohio's 7th District and giving his "Complete and Total Endorsement." Miller and Emily were married in 2022 at Trump's New Jersey golf club.
Chris Vlasto, a spokesman for Miller whose firm Haven Strategies Inc. received $30,000 from Miller's campaign in May and June, referred reporters to prior statements by Miller and his team. Abigail Angelos, a campaign spokeswoman, said the court has continued to permit Miller joint custody of his child and argued that credible evidence would have altered that outcome.
Rep. Max Miller, R-Ohio, speaks during a press conference on Capitol Hill on June 26, 2024.Credit: Samuel Corum/Getty
Sen. Moreno's office told The New York Times that the senator's priority is "the safety and well‑being of his daughter and granddaughter" and that he would not litigate the matter in public. House Speaker Mike Johnson emphasized the word "allegation" when asked about the case and said he was not conducting an investigation into the matter.
Next Steps
A civil trial to resolve the custody dispute is scheduled to begin on Nov. 5, two days after Election Day. Both sides have filed competing motions and public statements as the controversy continues to draw national attention.
Note: The reporting summarized here is based on court filings, police reports and media coverage. The allegations described are claims made by the parties and have not resulted in criminal charges against Rep. Miller.
