After Trump-endorsed Cory Mills loses primary, Trump says he told him to drop out

After Trump Endorsed Cory Mills, Primary Loss Followed

Qwenews.com – After Trump endorsed Cory Mills, the Florida congressman entered Tuesday’s primary with the president’s name behind his campaign. That backing did not save him. Former news anchor Ryan Elijah defeated Mills in the GOP contest, and the next morning Trump took to Truth Social to claim he had personally told Mills to withdraw before the vote. The president said Mills refused, convinced he could still prevail.

“I told Congressman Cory Mills of Florida, a friend of mine, to get out of the Race, but he wouldn’t listen. He thought he could win, so who can blame him?”

The post made clear that Trump had never formally rescinded the February endorsement, even as Mills faced escalating scrutiny over alleged assault, possible campaign-finance violations, and an ex-girlfriend’s claim that he threatened to release explicit images and videos of her. Mills has denied every allegation.

Quiet Withdrawal of Support

Before the primary, signals of cooling were unmistakable. Trump left Mills off a list of Florida Republicans he publicly backed earlier in the month and skipped tele-rallies he had held for other supported lawmakers. After Trump endorsed Cory Mills in February, those omissions read as a de facto step-back without an official announcement.

The Max Miller Precedent

Mills is not the first troubled GOP congressman urged by Trump to abandon a reelection bid. Two sources briefed on a previously reported phone call said the president told Ohio Rep. Max Miller — whose ex-wife has accused him of abuse — that continuing his campaign would cost him the election and cost the party. CNN had earlier reported similar sentiments voiced to certain allies, though not directed at Miller by name. Miller publicly denied wrongdoing and minimized the call. Speaking to CNN’s Jake Tapper, the Ohio Republican said the president characterized the contest as a “tough race” and expressed uncertainty about whether Miller would be “able to pull this one out.”

Elijah Inherits the Nomination

In the same post distancing himself from Mills, Trump pledged full backing to Elijah, who advances as the Republican nominee following Tuesday night’s primary win.

“We now have a great candidate, Ryan Elijah, running in his place! Ryan stands for EVERYTHING MAGA, and is respected by ALL. He has my Complete and Total Endorsement!”

Mills had already signaled his intent to stay. In an April CNN interview, he said he would not resign from Congress despite pressure from some Republicans to step down amid the sexual-misconduct allegations. He noted that House Speaker Mike Johnson had told him in private conversations not to give up his seat. “There’s absolutely no reason to resign,” Mills said at the time. “He told me not to resign, and he told me that this is why we have this process.” Johnson did not directly confirm the exchange but stated that Mills should be afforded due process, declining to say whether he would back the reelection bid.

The House Ethics Committee is examining multiple allegations against Mills, spanning campaign-finance violations and sexual misconduct. Separately, Washington, D.C. police are investigating an alleged assault, and a judge has ordered Mills to maintain no contact with the ex-girlfriend who accused him of threatening to release explicit material after their relationship ended.

Mills was not the only Trump-backed candidate to fall on Tuesday night. Catalina Lauf in Florida and Megan Degenfelder in Wyoming also lost their respective primaries, underscoring that presidential backing does not guarantee voter loyalty. In Mills’ own district, Reps. Anna Paulina Luna and Mike Haridopolos had already broken ranks with him, endorsing Elijah earlier in the month. With the primary decisively behind him and the president’s explicit support, Elijah moves forward as the Republican nominee for the general election.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did Trump formally withdraw his endorsement of Cory Mills before the primary? No. Trump never issued an official withdrawal. He omitted Mills from a later list of backed Florida Republicans and skipped tele-rallies, but the February endorsement remained technically in place until the post-primary Truth Social message.

What allegations is Cory Mills facing? The House Ethics Committee is reviewing campaign-finance and sexual-misconduct claims. D.C. police are investigating an alleged assault, and a court has issued a no-contact order tied to an ex-girlfriend’s claim that Mills threatened to publish explicit images and videos.

Who now represents the Republican Party in Mills’ district? Ryan Elijah, the former news anchor who won the primary, holds the Republican nomination and has received Trump’s stated “Complete and Total Endorsement.”