Ohio Congressman and former Trump aide Max Miller has filed for divorce from his wife, Emily Moreno, less than a year after the birth of their daughter.
According to Daily Mail Online, the divorce case was filed on August 27, 2024, in Cuyahoga County, Ohio. The couple, who married in August 2022 at former President Donald Trump's Bedminster golf club in New Jersey, welcomed their daughter Ruth in November 2023.
The divorce filing comes as a surprise to many, given the couple's relatively short marriage and recent parenthood. Miller, 35, and Moreno, 30, had been seen as a rising power couple in Republican circles, with Miller serving as a freshman congressman and Moreno being the daughter of Bernie Moreno, the GOP nominee for Senate in Ohio.
Prior to his marriage to Moreno, Miller was in a relationship with former White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham. Their relationship ended in 2020 amid allegations of abuse. Grisham claimed that Miller had pushed her against a wall and slapped her after she accused him of infidelity. Miller denied these allegations and later filed a libel suit against Grisham, which was subsequently dismissed.
In October 2021, Grisham wrote an op-ed for the Washington Post, stating that the Trumps "didn't seem to care" when she informed them about the alleged abusive nature of her relationship with Miller. This public airing of their personal issues added a layer of controversy to Miller's political career.
The abuse allegations resurfaced in 2023 when disgraced former Rep. George Santos called Miller a "woman beater" during a heated exchange on the House floor. This incident further highlighted the tumultuous nature of Miller's personal life and its impact on his political career.
The divorce between Miller and Moreno could have potential political ramifications, particularly given their connections to high-profile Republican figures.
Miller, who maintains close ties to former President Trump, received a strong endorsement from him during his congressional campaign. Trump even spoke at Miller and Moreno's wedding, praising the groom and attempting to mend fences with Ohio Governor Mike DeWine.
Emily Moreno's father, Bernie Moreno, is currently running for Senate in Ohio in what is expected to be one of the most competitive and expensive races in the country. The divorce could potentially impact the dynamics of this race, as family matters often intersect with political campaigns.
Reagan McCarthy, the communications director for Bernie Moreno's campaign, provided a brief statement to the Daily Mail:
Bernie is very sad their marriage worked out as it did, but it's a private family matter and he will not be making any further comments.
The divorce case filed by Miller is designated under "Divorce-Children," indicating that custody arrangements for their infant daughter will be a key aspect of the proceedings. Court summons were sent to Emily Moreno on August 30, 2024, though she has not publicly responded to requests for comment.
Interestingly, the judge initially assigned to the case, Tonya R. Jones, recused herself to avoid any "impropriety or conflict of interest." This decision suggests the high-profile nature of the case and the potential for public scrutiny. A mutual restraining order has been put in place between Miller and Moreno, though the specifics of this order have not been made public. Such orders are not uncommon in divorce proceedings, especially those involving public figures.
In conclusion, the divorce of Max Miller and Emily Moreno marks a significant turn in their personal lives and potentially their political careers. The filing comes less than two years after their high-profile wedding and less than a year after the birth of their daughter. With Miller's history of controversial relationships and the couple's deep ties to Republican politics, this divorce is likely to attract continued attention in both political and media circles. As the proceedings unfold, the impact on Miller's congressional career and Moreno's family's political aspirations remains to be seen.
