Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis made it clear Friday that he will not be supporting Rep. Cory Mills in his bid for re-election, putting the Republican governor at odds with President Donald Trump ahead of Florida’s Aug. 18 primary.
“I have not, uh, endorsed Cory Mills, and I do not support Cory Mills,” DeSantis told reporters during an appearance at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach.
Mills, who has received Trump’s endorsement, is facing a crowded Republican primary as he deals with a series of controversies and allegations.
The Florida congressman has faced allegations of domestic violence and harassment, accusations of stolen valor from fellow veterans, questions surrounding his business dealings and financial disclosures, and an investigation by the House Ethics Committee. Mills has denied wrongdoing.
Some prominent Florida Republicans have also turned against the incumbent.
Reps. Anna Paulina Luna and Mike Haridopolos recently endorsed former television journalist Ryan Elijah, who is Mills’ leading challenger in the Republican primary.
Rep. Kat Cammack has also publicly criticized Mills over allegations made by his ex-girlfriend, Lindsey Langston. In November 2025, Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., introduced a resolution on the House floor seeking to censure Mills over domestic violence and stolen valor accusations.
DeSantis addressed the congressional contest Friday after receiving a question from an unidentified reporter. Although the reporter’s original question could not be heard in the video, the governor clarified the subject before delivering his response.
“So this is a question about the 7th congressional district Republican primary,” DeSantis said.
He then left little uncertainty about his position.
“Um, I have not, uh, endorsed Cory Mills, and I do not support Cory Mills,” the governor said.
DeSantis was met with silence before ending the appearance.
“Okay. God bless everybody. Great to see you. Take care,” he said before walking away from the podium.
The remarks put DeSantis on a different side of the Republican primary from Trump, who has endorsed Mills.
They also distinguish the Florida governor’s position from that of House Speaker Mike Johnson, who was questioned in July about allegations involving Mills and Rep. Max Miller, R-Ohio. Miller has also faced major allegations of domestic abuse.
Johnson pointed to the House’s established process for dealing with allegations against lawmakers.
“Well, the key word there is ‘allegation,’” Johnson said at the time. “We have a process here — the House Ethics Committee works on those things. If allegations are made, they work through a process.”
With Florida’s Republican primary approaching on Aug. 18, Mills is now heading into the contest with Trump’s endorsement but without the support of DeSantis, while several other prominent Republicans have publicly backed or expressed support for his opponents and accusers.
