Did GOP congressman Max Miller throw boiling water at his ex-wife? What to know

As U.S. Rep. Max Miller, an Ohio Republican, fought a lengthy custody battle with his ex-wife, Emily Moreno, a rumor spread in spring 2026 that the representative once threw boiling water at her. 

The claim spread on X, Facebook and Threads.

Snopes readers also searched our website for information about whether Miller threw boiling water at Moreno. 

The rumor originated from a May 7 report by the Daily Mail, a British tabloid, which claimed that Moreno accused Miller of "years of documented physical abuse," including an alleged 2024 incident where the congressman supposedly threw a pot of boiling water at Moreno, who is the daughter of Ohio Republican Sen. Bernie Moreno. 

The Daily Mail's report relied on three anonymous sources, court filings the newspaper said it obtained and images appearing to show the aftermath of Miller's alleged abuse. 

Miller has categorically denied Emily Moreno's allegations of his supposed abusive behavior, including in a defamation lawsuit filed against his ex-wife on May 13. In a May 8 X post (archived), Miller accused his ex-father-in-law, Sen. Bernie Moreno, of funding and enabling "his daughter's malicious campaign to ruin [Miller's] life despite [the senator's] knowledge of her mental health issues." 

A spokesperson for Miller said via email that the apparent photos the Daily Mail shared of Moreno "were not a result of anything" the congressman did. 

Given the ongoing nature of the court cases, competing accusations and a lack of definitive evidence, we have not rated this claim. 

Moreno's attorney, Andrew Zashin, did not return repeated attempts to contact him. The journalist behind the Daily Mail's story, Phillip Nieto, also did not return a request for more information about his reporting process. 

Miller and Moreno filed for divorce in August 2024. 

Some claims also refer to Miller as a "MAGA congressman." President Donald Trump has previously endorsed both Miller and his ex-wife's father. 

Here's what we know about Moreno's allegations. 

Boiling water claim originates from Daily Mail report 

The Daily Mail's report is available on the tabloid's website behind a paywall. A black-and-white version is included in public court documents (from PDF Page 47 onward). 

The article includes detailed allegations about various instances of Miller's supposed abusive behavior toward Moreno and their child.

Here's an excerpt of the Daily Mail's report, focusing on the boiling water allegation (emphasis ours):  

The claims trace back to June 9, 2024, when tensions between the couple first erupted.

During an argument inside their Ohio home about their marriage and custody of their daughter, the Congressman allegedly hurled a pot of boiling water at Emily.

Multiple sources with direct knowledge of the incident say some of the water struck Emily's chest, with their daughter looking on.

Emily documented her injuries the same day in a photo that appears to show redness across her upper chest.

A handwritten letter allegedly written by Miller to Moreno the same day as the boiling water incident shows the Congressman apologizing to his then-wife for failing to protect her, though he does not admit to any physical abuse.

The bottom line

The boiling water allegation is one of many abuse accusations Moreno has made against Miller amid a lengthy and public divorce and custody battle. Miller has a history of weathering abuse allegations — and this is not the first time he has filed a defamation lawsuit as a result. 

As of this writing, none of Moreno's allegations have been proven in court and there is no definitive evidence her claims are true. That does not mean Miller is absolved of Moreno's accusations, but it does mean we cannot rate this claim.