WASHINGTON — In the wake of a turbulent primary election, President Trump has stepped back from Rep. Cory Mills following Mills’ defeat to former journalist Ryan Elijah.
Despite previously endorsing Mills, a Republican from Florida, in February, Trump maintained his support even as various allegations surfaced against Mills, including domestic violence, claims of stolen valor, and financial impropriety. However, in a recent post on Truth Social, Trump remarked, “I advised Congressman Cory Mills of Florida, a personal friend, to withdraw from the race. He believed he could secure a victory despite it all, and who could blame him for trying?”
Trump went on to express enthusiasm for the new candidate, stating, “We now have a fantastic contender in Ryan Elijah, an individual who embodies everything MAGA represents and is universally respected. He has my Complete and Total Endorsement!”
There was no immediate response from Mills, as his spokesperson did not address requests for comment.
Elijah, in speaking to The Post, reflected on his victory by emphasizing the vocal support he received. “For us, it felt like a people’s victory, thanks to every supporter backing us. It was immensely gratifying,” he shared, adding that Trump had personally sent him a congratulatory text message.
“I talked to a lot of voters who just felt that they were not being represented,” added the former Fox Orlando host. “They wanted another choice given the run of ethics violations we’ve seen on both sides in Congress.
“And I think the message that was sent last night is that the American people are tired of it.”
Mills was one of three Trump-endorsed candidates to lose their primaries Tuesday, along with Catalina Lauf in Florida’s 19th Congressional District and Wyoming gubernatorial candidate Megan Degenfelder.
Despite those setbacks, the president still boasts a 96% success rate, with 313 of his 330 picks winning their primary elections so far this year, according to Ballotpedia.
Elijah was backed by Mills’ House GOP colleagues Anna Paulina Luna and Mike Haridopolos, while popular outgoing Gov. Ron DeSantis made clear last week that “I have not endorsed Cory Mills and I do not support Cory Mills.”
“It was imperative for us to keep the majority, as we have to win every seat possible, and it was very clear to me earlier this year that Cory Mills would not win a general election given his challenges,” said Haridopolos, who personally recruit Elijah to run after Mills refused to resign.
“I think the best way to reform Congress is by selecting better members,” he added. “Our job in Congress is to represent our community, and if you get sidetracked with personal issues, it’s hard to do the job.”
Mills, an Army veteran, has denied any wrongdoing.
In February 2025, the DC Metropolitan Police Department investigated accusations that he had assaulted a female Republican activist at his penthouse. Mills stressed that she later retracted aspects of her complaint.
Mills was not charged in that incident, but the ethics committee noted in May that “a decision not to bring charges is not a finding of innocence or ‘no wrongdoing.’”
The woman, Sarah Raviani, allowed cops to listen to a recorded phone call in which Mills “instruct[ed] her to lie about the origin of her bruises,” according to a copy of the police report reviewed by NBC News, and the congressman “admitted [to officers] that the situation escalated from verbal to physical.”
The ethics committee is also investigating a court injunction issued in October 2025 restricting Mills’ social media usage and contact pertaining to a woman — likely his ex-girlfriend, Lindsey Langston.
Langston, who was crowned Miss United States in 2024, has claimed Mills tried to blackmail her with revenge porn.
The beauty queen, who was in a relationship with Mills until February 2025, accused him of harassment via text, including one May 15, 2025, message in which he told her, “Strap up cowboy” — which she interpreted as a warning that he would release videos of the two “engaging in sexual acts,” according to a report to the Columbia (Fla.) County Sheriff’s Office on July 14, 2025.