Topline
President Donald Trump said Wednesday he told Rep. Cory Mills, R-Fla., to abandon his reelection bid amid allegations of sexual misconduct and violent behavior toward women, among other scandals—endorsing Mills’ opponent who beat him in Tuesday’s primary.
Rep. Cory Mills, R-Fla., attends the House Armed Services Committee hearing titled “Department of Defense FY2027 Budget Request,” in Rayburn building on Wednesday, April 29, 2026. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images
Key Facts
Trump wrote on Truth Social that he told Mills “to get out of the race, but he wouldn’t listen,” adding Mills “thought he could win, so who can blame him?”
Trump, who backed Mills in the primary, on Wednesday endorsed Mills’ opponent, Ryan Elijah, who Trump said “stands for EVERYTHING MAGA, and is respected by ALL.”
Elijah, a former local Fox television news anchor, beat Mills in the GOP primary to represent Florida’s 7th Congressional District, winning 47% of votes, over Mills’ 34%, according to the Associated Press.
Mills is facing a House ethics investigation over accusations of dating violence, sexual misconduct, campaign finance violations, misusing congressional resources and improper receipt of gifts or favors.
His former girlfriend, Lindsey Langston, won a protective order against him last year after he allegedly threatened her with revenge porn.
Langston reportedly broke up with him after another woman called police and accused Mills of assaulting her, though no charges have been filed in the case and Mills has denied wrongdoing.
What To Watch For
Elijah will face Democrat Bale Dalton, a former NASA official and Army veteran, in the general election. Trump won Mills’ district by 12 points in 2024.
Key Background
The allegations of troubling behavior toward women are among a longer list of controversies for Mills, who was first elected to Congress in 2022. The Justice Department is investigating Mills’ finances, multiple outlets reported last month, citing unnamed sources. The Office of Congressional Conduct said in May last year Mills may have misrepresented information on his required financial disclosures, accepted excessive contributions in the form of personal loans, entered into federal contracts while he was in Congress, among other potential campaign finance violations. Army veterans who served with Mills have also accused him of stolen valor in receiving a Bronze Star for allegedly saving the lives of fellow soldiers in Iraq in 2003. Mills’ race divided Republicans, with Reps. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., and Mike Haridopolos, R-Fla., endorsing Elijah in the race, while Trump backed Mills.
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