A Trump-endorsed Congressman has been accused of beating his wife, the daughter of a sitting Republican Senator, including hurling a pot of boiling water at her in front of their infant child.
Ohio Republican Congressman Max Miller is accused of years of documented physical abuse against his ex-wife, Emily Moreno, the daughter of Ohio Senator Bernie Moreno, according to court filings and three sources who spoke exclusively to the Daily Mail.
The couple married at Trump’s Bedminster golf club in August 2022, with the President himself in attendance, before Miller filed for divorce on their second wedding anniversary two years later.
The allegations against the 37-year-old Miller, who Trump endorsed in an uncontested GOP primary just days ago, come as Emily seeks sweeping changes to their custody arrangement over what she described in court documents as growing concerns about his conduct and behavior.
The most recent attack came on February 1 of this year when Miller allegedly grabbed and struck Emily, 32, during a custody exchange at his Ohio home, leaving bruises on her arm, elbow, and torso as the couple’s two-year-old daughter Ruth looked on.
An earlier incident on June 9, 2024, involved the Congressman allegedly hurling 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.
The pair reached a divorce settlement in June 2025 and agreed to joint custody of their daughter, as well as $2,500 per month in child support from Miller.
But the legal drama has continued. Emily moved on March 4 to overhaul the custody arrangement entirely, citing her ex-husband’s ‘dangerous physical behavior’ in their daughter’s presence.
Ohio Republican Congressman Max Miller is accused of years of documented physical abuse against his ex-wife, Emily Moreno, the daughter of Ohio Senator Bernie Moreno, according to court filings and three sources who spoke to the Daily Mail
The most recent alleged attack came on February 1, when Miller allegedly grabbed and struck Emily during a custody exchange at his Ohio home, leaving bruises on her arm, elbow, and torso as the couple’s two-year-old daughter, Ruth, looked on
The allegations against Miller, who Trump endorsed in an uncontested GOP primary just days ago, come as Emily seeks sweeping changes to their custody arrangement over what she described in court documents as growing concerns about his conduct and behavior
The Daily Mail can now reveal the detailed allegations regarding that behavior.
‘Max Miller is a nightmare who is spiraling out of control and everyone in Washington knows it,’ a source familiar with the couple’s marriage claimed to the Daily Mail.
‘He’s still just a spoiled rich kid at heart who has had everything handed to him on a silver platter and lashes out at anyone who dares to tell him no.’
The most recent alleged injuries occurred on February 1 during a custody exchange in the presence of the couple’s two-year-old daughter at the Congressman’s Ohio home.
According to court documents referencing the incident reviewed by the Daily Mail and three separate sources, Emily arrived to pick up their daughter, Ruth, when an argument broke out. The exact nature of the argument is unclear.
The confrontation escalated when Miller allegedly grabbed and hit Emily, causing bruising to her right arm, elbow, and torso in front of Ruth, sources claim.
The Bay Village Police Department confirmed to the Daily Mail that it responded to a report of child abuse on that date and that an investigation remains open.
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.
It was not the first time the Congressman had faced such accusations from his ex-wife.
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
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
The couple married at Trump’s Bedminster golf club in August 2022 with the President himself in attendance, before Miller filed for divorce on their second wedding anniversary two years later
The claims 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.
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.
The pair reached a divorce settlement in June 2025 and agreed to joint custody of their daughter, as well as $2,500 per month in child support from Miller
‘I know that won’t happen. I’m sorry I failed you and Ruth [sic]. It’s eating me alive. I love you, even if you think I don’t. I love you so much. I’m so sorry. I’m just a f*** up and worthless.’
Two months after the alleged incident, Moreno and Miller filed for divorce in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, where their litigation remains ongoing.
Moreno has maintained her allegations and stands by her account of physical assault. Her attorneys confirmed that the allegations against Miller are consistent with claims they have raised in court.
‘The photographic evidence speaks for itself. These images, combined with the documented history in court filings, directly contradict years of Mr Miller’s denial,’ Moreno’s attorney told the Daily Mail. ‘Any claim that Ms Moreno fabricated these allegations collapses in the face of contemporaneous physical evidence.’
‘It is unfortunate that these matters have become public when Ms Moreno has made every effort to keep them private and out of court for the sake of their daughter,’ her attorney added. ‘But the ongoing pattern of behavior, coupled with the continued denials, has made silence no longer possible.’
The Daily Mail has contacted Senator Bernie Moreno’s office for comment but did not receive a response.Â
Miller’s attorney, Adam Brown, denied all of the allegations of abuse as false. Brown told the Daily Mail he would provide evidence rebutting Moreno’s claims, but no such evidence was produced before publication.
During a February 27 hearing, Miller allegedly asserted that his current girlfriend was present at his Ohio home during the February 1 custody exchange and witnessed no disturbance.
According to sources familiar with his testimony, Miller claimed his girlfriend had been hiding in the guest room, watching through the window, and heard nothing.
Miller has faced physical assault allegations from previous partners, including former Trump White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham.
Twelve days later, however, the Congressman’s attorney allegedly retracted that account in an email to Moreno’s legal counsel, writing that ‘Jacqueline was in fact not likely present at Max’s home during the time of the child exchange.’
The bitter split now threatens to engulf one of Trump’s allies just days after the president endorsed Miller in an uncontested GOP primary election that he won on Tuesday. He occupies a safe Republican seat and is heavily favored to win re-election in November.
‘Congressman Max Miller is a fantastic Champion for the Great People of Ohio’s 7th Congressional District!’ Trump wrote on Truth Social. ‘Max Miller has my Complete and Total Endorsement. He will not let you down!’
‘The abuse is a clear sign [that] Max is a sick person. No good man behaves this way,’ claimed a familiar source.
Miller has faced physical assault allegations from previous partners, including former Trump White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham.Â
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. The Daily Mail has contacted Grisham for comment.
Moreno filed a motion demanding a change in their custody arrangement, accusing the Congressman of ‘dangerous physical behavior in the child’s presence’
One source told the Daily Mail that Miller often uses litigation and the expenses that come with it to silence women accusing him of physical abuse
One source told the Daily Mail 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. ‘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.
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.
