President Donald Trump’s political team reportedly urged Ohio Republicans to tone down their public relations campaign aimed at pressuring Republican Ohio Rep. Max Miller to withdraw from his reelection race, according to a report by Politico on Monday, August 11th, 2026.

Trump officials warned party leaders that Miller would not drop out and that continued pressure could complicate messaging efforts as they prepared to defend his seat against Democratic challenger Brian Poindexter. An Ohio Republican told Politico, “They basically told us to back off and let the voters decide.”

Though Trump had privately warned Miller that his political future looked uncertain, he never publicly called for Miller to step down. Politico also reported that Trump personally intervened by calling Miller directly and sending his political team to dissuade Ohio Republicans from pushing for Miller’s removal from the ballot.

The Republican Party cannot replace Miller on the ballot because the deadline for candidate replacement has passed. Ohio state law requires the local Republican Party committee to hold a meeting with at least two days’ notice to select a replacement candidate. While discussions were held about scheduling such a meeting to encourage Miller to withdraw, these efforts were abandoned amid talks with administration officials.

During a Tuesday appearance on CNN’s "The Lead with Jake Tapper," Miller avoided answering questions regarding allegations of abuse made by three separate women.

Sources