President Donald Trump is facing mounting pressure to pull his endorsement from a Congressman who is alleged to have had an affair with an aide who later burned herself to death.
Texas Republican Congressman Tony Gonzales, 45, traveled to a remote cabin in Concan, Texas, twice in May 2024, and had sex with his married staffer Regina Aviles, 35, a friend of Aviles told the Daily Mail.
In September 2025, Aviles – a member of the Republican’s staff based in Uvalde – Texas, died after self-immolating in her backyard after dousing herself with gasoline. The night of her suicide, Aviles reportedly told a friend she was contemplating self harm, then filmed her death.
When the Daily Mail first reported on the alleged affair in October, the congressman did not deny the affair. However, Gonzales did deny the affair a month later in November under mounting scrutiny.
A potential headache for the president, Trump gave Gonzales a glowing endorsement in December, noting how the Texas lawmaker is a ‘terrific’ representative, even after the Daily Mail reported the affair.
‘This is completely unacceptable behavior for anyone, let along a sitting member of Congress,’ wrote Brandon Herrera, a GOP congressional candidate facing off against Gonzales. ‘Tony must step down.’
Conservative talks how host Erick Erickson reacted echoed the sentiment: ‘Tony Gonzales should step aside. He literally cheated on his wife with a woman who then set herself on fire after the affair ended.’
But it was right-wing activist Kyle Rittenhouse who applied pressure on the White House.
Regina Aviles, 35, poured gasoline over herself before becoming engulfed in flames at her home in Uvalde, Texas, on September 13
Congressman Tony Gonzales, pictured in a campaign photo with his wife and six children presenting himself as a family man had two trysts in a cabin with a married aide before her suicide, a friend alleged
Aviles referenced her alleged affair with her then-boss Congressman Tony Gonzales in a text message to a friend who shared this text conversation with the Daily Mail
‘Who advised President Trump to endorse ANTI-MAGA, AMERICA LAST candidate Tony Gonzales?’ posted Kyle Rittenhouse, who gained notoriety after fatally shooting two protesters during 2020 Wisconsin riots.
Meanwhile, Gonzales has said he is ‘not going to engage in these personal smears and instead will remain focused on helping President Trump secure the border and improve the lives of all Texans.’
But Aviles’ husband, Adrian, told the Daily Mail on Wednesday that the lawmakers is lying.
‘The biggest lie that Tony has told is the affair. That is 100 percent true,’ Adrian said.
He claims his wife Regina was coerced into the relationship and had spoken to lawyers about launching a sexual harassment lawsuit.
On Thursday, Gonzales addressed the scandal again, noting how he will not be blackmailed into submission while sharing what appears to be a screenshot from Adrian Aviles’ lawyer, Robert Barrera, in which the attorney proposes what appears to be a cash settlement.
The email from Barrera seems to note how the congressman’s career could be damaged and he refers to a ‘maximum recoverable’ of $300,000.
‘I WILL NOT BE BLACKMAILED,’ Gonzales wrote on X alongside the screenshot of the email. ‘Disgusting to see people profit politically and financially off a tragic death. The public should IMMEDIATELY have full access to the Uvalde Police report. I will keep fighting for #TX23.’
Regina’s cell phone, which the widower is in possession of, contains 35,000 text messages between Aviles and Gonzales, Adrian’s lawyers have claimed. It is unclear how many of those messages were work related.
Aviles is survived by her husband, Adrian, and their eight-year-old son. Her obituary described her as ‘a devoted mother, a loving daughter, sister, and wife and a loyal friend’
Neither the White House nor Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson returned the Daily Mail’s request for comment on Gonzales, whether he should resign or if his presidential endorsement should be withdrawn.
The scandal could threaten Republican control over the House of Representatives given their slim 218 – 214 majority.
If Gonzales were to retire from Congress early, the GOP’s already minuscule majority would shrink and pose problems passing legislation on party lines.
The Republican primary in the 23rd congressional district is scheduled for March 3. If no candidates gets over 50 percent of the vote, a runoff election would take place on May 26.
Surprisingly, Democratic lawmakers have not yet been using the scandal as a cudgel against Gonzales.
