The chairman of the Republican National Committee drew outrage by downplaying the domestic abuse allegations against Rep. Max Miller (R-OH).
Florida state Sen. Joe Gruter, who heads up the RNC, appeared on the right-wing News Nation’s “The Hill Sunday," where he was asked whether his organization would back Miller with resources in his re-election campaign — and he dodged the issue.
“I always tell people that there’s not many things worse than divorce and watching these processes play out," Gruter said. "Nobody’s a winner.”
Miller's ex-wife, Emily Moreno, has accused the GOP lawmaker of holding a gun to her head, breaking their toddler daughter's collarbone and other physical and emotional abuse. But Gruter indicated the RNC would back his campaign.
“We’re going to support our nominees,” the GOP official said. “We need to make sure we hold the majorities. Max, I’m sure, is on that side."
Gruter's comments ignited a firestorm of criticism.
"RNC endorses domestic violence," noted political organizer Melanie D'Arrigo.
"So that's a yes supporting a guy who assaulted his wife and child," said Find Out Media's Tim Fullerton. "Cool party guys."
"Republicans say they're going to financially support the campaign of a domestic abuser," observed "Friendly Atheist" blogger Hemant Mehta. "In case you had any doubt."
"So, the Dem in this race has to pounce on this," urged popular X user Khadija B. Targaryen. "The Republicans are supporting a man accused of abusing the mother of his child and a baby. This should get Dems out to vote bc as per a recent poll, a number of Republicans don't see this as a problem."
"Repugnant. It's not about divorce, but domestic abuse and it should be disqualifying," opined X user Donna J. Drexel.