{"id":4715,"date":"2026-08-14T08:37:03","date_gmt":"2026-08-14T08:37:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nextaddressamerica.com\/?p=4715"},"modified":"2026-08-14T08:37:03","modified_gmt":"2026-08-14T08:37:03","slug":"republican-ties-himself-in-knots-during-heated-clash-with-cnn-host","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nextaddressamerica.com\/?p=4715","title":{"rendered":"Republican ties himself in knots during heated clash with CNN host"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) struggled against CNN host Dana Bash on Thursday when she questioned him about accepting money from a Republican candidate accused of abusing his wife and daughter. <\/p>\n

Read more MAGA in meltdown after investigation disproves Trump\u2019s new lie<\/a><\/p>\n

“This is the typical Washington game where, when something comes up, you have to return the money,” Lawler complained about Max Miller, who donated $10,000 to Lawler’s campaign. <\/p>\n

The lawmaker said he wasn’t returning the money because the allegations haven’t been “proven.” Several Republicans have come forward to say that Miller has a history of violence, including a former staffer in President Donald Trump’s first administration. <\/p>\n

Lawler wouldn’t say whether or not he stood by Miller; he only compared the alleged abuse of a wife and child to his opponent, who took money from former Gov. Eliot Spitzer (D-N.Y.).<\/p>\n

Bash noted that Lawler sounded like he and Miller talk a lot privately. <\/p>\n

“I’m not going to get into that,” Lawler replied.<\/p>\n

“It sounds like you’re saying that you’re not returning the donations because you believe him,” Bash said. <\/p>\n

Lawler sat silent for a few seconds of dead air. He then repeated the line being used by President Donald Trump about Miller’s divorce.<\/p>\n

“Look, this is a private<\/span> family matter that<\/span> unfortunately has spilled out<\/span> into the public,” said Lawler. “It should be<\/span> adjudicated in family court. Max<\/span> has been accused. Max has also<\/span> made accusations against his<\/span> ex-wife. It is tragic. And<\/span> obviously I don’t condone any<\/span> level of abuse. But ultimately,<\/span> there’s been nothing that has<\/span> been corroborated here, which is<\/span> part of the reason why Max is<\/span> continuing to run for<\/span> reelection.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Bash said that Lawler has received only $10,000 from Miller, amid multi-million-dollar expenditures by political organizations. <\/span><\/p>\n

Read more GOP plan to fire up base hits a brick wall<\/a><\/p>\n

Lawler pivoted to talk about the old governor again. <\/p>\n

“I’m talking about this right now,” Bash jumped in, “that your colleague has given you from his campaign. Can you just explain, politically speaking, why you shouldn’t just give it back?” <\/p>\n

She noted that he has $4.8 million cash on hand and it was nothing more than a $10,000 donation. <\/p>\n

“Is it \u2014 is it the principle? Because he’s your friend and you believe him? I’m just trying to get to the bottom of why,” Bash said. <\/p>\n

“Yeah. Dana,” Lawler said, trying to talk over her. “Dana, do you have information that proves the allegation? I mean, are you aware of something that the rest of us are not? No. Absolutely not. So he denies it.”<\/p>\n

Bash cited fellow Republicans, including Miller’s ex-father-in-law, a former U.S. senator, who has also come forward against Miller. <\/p>\n

“I understand it’s a tragic family situation that has spiraled into the public,” Lawler said, repeating that he hasn’t heard that the accusations have been verified. <\/p>\n

Read more Republicans who fell for Blanche \u2018being made absolute fools\u2019: ex-prosecutor<\/a><\/p>\n