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

By Alejandra Jaramillo, Kristen Holmes, CNN

(CNN) — President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he had urged GOP Rep. Cory Mills to drop out of his Florida primary race before the embattled Republican lost Tuesday to former news anchor Ryan Elijah.

“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?” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post.

Trump endorsed Mills in February and never publicly rescinded his support, despite the Florida congressman facing significant scrutiny over accusations of assault, potential campaign finance violations and an ex-girlfriend alleging that he threatened to release sexually explicit images and videos of her. Mills has denied any wrongdoing.

However, the congressman was conspicuously absent from a list Trump posted earlier this month of Florida Republicans he endorsed. The president also did not participate in tele-rallies on his behalf, which he’s done for several lawmakers he supports.

Mills wouldn’t be the first embattled GOP congressman who Trump leaned on to quit. The president told Ohio Rep. Max Miller — whose ex-wife has accused him of abuse — in a previously reported call that he was going to lose his election and lose for the Republican Party if he kept up his reelection bid, according to two sources briefed on the call. CNN previously reported that Trump had expressed that sentiment to some allies, but not that the president said as much to Miller directly.

The Ohio Republican has denied wrongdoing and downplayed the call with Trump in public comments. He told CNN’s Jake Tapper that the president told him it would be a “tough race,” and that he didn’t know “that you’re going to be able to pull this one out.”

In the social media post distancing himself from Mills, Trump also endorsed Ryan Elijah, who will now advance as the Republican candidate following his primary victory on Tuesday night.

“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!” Trump wrote.

A defiant Mills not only refused to drop out of the race, but told CNN in April that he would not resign from Congress despite calls from some Republicans to step down amid the allegations of sexual misconduct.

“There’s absolutely no reason to resign,” Mills told CNN at the time, adding that House Speaker Mike Johnson had told him in conversations not to give up his seat. “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 to CNN but said Mills should be afforded due process. Johnson also declined to say whether he would support Mills’ reelection bid.

The Ethics Committee is currently looking into multiple allegations made against Mills, including campaign finance violations and sexual misconduct. The Florida congressman has also been under investigation by DC police for allegedly assaulting an individual.

He was also previously ordered by a judge not to have any contact with the ex-girlfriend who accused the congressman of having threatened to release sexually explicit images and videos of her after their relationship ended.

Mills was not the only Trump-endorsed candidate to suffer a primary defeat Tuesday night. Catalina Lauf in Florida and Megan Degenfelder in Wyoming also lost their respective races, underscoring that Trump’s endorsement does not necessarily guarantee that voters will back his preferred candidates.

In Florida, Reps. Anna Paulina Luna and Mike Haridopolos had already broken with Mills, endorsing Elijah earlier this month.

Now, after decisively defeating Mills and with the backing of the president, Elijah will advance as the Republican nominee.

This story has been updated with additional information.

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