Max Miller and Ex-Girlfriend Ordered to Delete Posts
Sandego.net – A federal judge in Ohio ordered Max Miller and ex girlfriend Stephanie Grisham to take down a series of social media posts on Monday, issuing preliminary injunctions that enforce a 2023 settlement barring either party from publicly disparaging the other. The ruling followed hours of testimony in a county courtroom, with the Republican congressman joining remotely by video — his second appearance in a span of fewer than seven days.
What the Court Ruled and Why
The underlying dispute stems from a 2023 settlement that resolved a cycle of abuse allegations filed by Grisham and a defamation counterclaim filed by Miller. Under that agreement, neither side may make public statements that demean or disparage the other. Monday’s hearing tested whether posts on X, television interviews, and other public remarks violated that prohibition.
The most contested item was a May 7 entry on Miller’s X account that paired audio of his ex-wife, Emily Moreno, with a caption asserting that “Ms. Emily Moreno admits” everything Grisham alleged was “fabricated.” Grisham told the court the post destroyed the quiet she expected after settling the prior litigation. Miller, for his part, said he neither wrote nor approved the entry, explaining that he does not keep social media applications on his personal phone and that congressional staffers posted it without his direction.
“I didn’t instruct them to do this, period. They just did it,” Miller told the judge. “You are making it seem like Twitter is 90 percent of a congressman’s job.”
Interview Testimony and the Epstein-Adjacent Post
The hearing also examined two recent news interviews Miller gave, including a conversation with CNN’s Jake Tapper in which the anchor asked whether the public should believe the allegations were false. Miller answered “yes,” a response Grisham’s attorneys characterized as a breach of the non-disparagement clause. In the same interview, Miller said he could not discuss specifics of the matter because of the existing agreement.
Miller’s attorney, Adam Brown, pointed to an April 22 X post by Grisham — “Today I feel broken over what so many men with money and power get away with over & over & over” — as evidence she had disparaged him first. Grisham testified the post referenced the wave of developments surrounding convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and was not directed at Miller at all, even though the date coincided with a TMZ story about his custody dispute.
“When a sitting member of Congress calls you a liar, that is a pretty big deal in political circles,” Grisham testified.
Miller framed his interview remarks as self-protection rather than attack, arguing that public accusations inflict reputational damage regardless of their truth value and that Grisham had struck first in what he called the court of public opinion.
Political Fallout in a Swing District
The legal wrangling lands at a moment of acute electoral vulnerability. Miller is seeking reelection in an Ohio district that Donald Trump carried by more than ten points in 2024, but Republican strategists now worry the seat has become genuinely competitive given the congressman’s overlapping legal and personal controversies. Several Senate Republicans have publicly urged him to step aside. Speaker Mike Johnson, however, told CNN on Monday that he backs Miller’s reelection campaign, describing him as “a great member of Congress.”
The custody dimension compounds the pressure. Miller is locked in a bitter fight over their daughter with ex-wife Emily Moreno, daughter of Ohio Senator Bernie Moreno. Moreno has alleged Miller abused her, including pointing a gun at her while their child was still an infant. Miller has denied every allegation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly did the judge order Max Miller and ex girlfriend Grisham to do? The judge issued preliminary injunctions compelling both parties to remove specific social media posts and public statements deemed to violate the non-disparagement clause of their 2023 settlement.
What was the original 2023 settlement about? It resolved Grisham’s abuse allegations against Miller and Miller’s defamation counterclaim against Grisham. The agreement bars either party from publicly disparaging the other.
Why did Miller appear by video rather than in person? He joined remotely from Washington via video link, marking his second court appearance in under seven days. He did appear in person at a separate custody-related proceeding.
Is the case over? No. The Monday ruling was a preliminary injunction. Further proceedings may follow on whether the injunction becomes permanent and on any remaining claims under the settlement.
