In this screenshot from an unknown date, the parenting coordinator of Miller and Moreno seems to say Miller "adamantly refuses" to give the bunny back. (2/8)

In this screenshot of an email from March 2025, Emily Moreno begged Miller for the blue bunny. (3/?)

In this screenshot of an email from August, Emily Moreno's lawyer is seen reaching out to Rep. Miller's attorneys asking them to persuade Miller to give the bunny back. (4/8)

In this screenshot of texts between Rep. Miller and Senator Bernie Moreno in May, Miller says that the Morenos will have to go through the parenting coordinator to get the bunny back. (5/8).

Earlier tonight, Rep. Miller posted on X alleging that he had proof Sen. Moreno was lying about the bunny being withheld. He included screenshots. The screenshots I have seem to add context and also suggest a pattern of bunny withholding. (6/8)

I plan to write a story tomorrow AM that will aim to untangle the competing claims and timeline. In the meantime, check out our other coverage of Rep. Miller. motherjones.com/politics/202... (7/8)

And here's our big July 18 investigation that helped spark this insane news cycle in which I am now reporting on a blue bunny... (8/Fin.) www.motherjones.com/politics/202...

Also... I reached out to Rep. Miller's lawyers for comment, but it is late on the East Coast. I will update my thread if/when they respond to my email.

I have my childhood stuffed animal tattooed on my back and used to carry it everywhere. I cannot fathom ever forgiving someone who did this to me. When I was 2 I left my stuffed animal out in the rain and I was a mess. Also was a preschool teacher and saw kids miss their monkey or bunny or etc.

This man belongs in jail, yesterday.

“a pattern of bunny withholding” is an amazing phrase to have to use to describe the actions of any adult, much less a high-profile politician

Never thought my political reporting career would lead me to write that phrase…

Thank you for your reporting. Thank you, thank you. This reporting surely takes a toll. From someone who has lived a similar horror. Let us all fight to have history not repeat itself, at least in our own orbits.

Holding a young kid’s favorite toy hostage as a way to manipulate your child into liking being at your house better is absolutely sick and twisted.

No, it’s to punish the mother. She gets to watch her baby cry and beg for her stuffie. This man should never have unsupervised visits with their child because he’s a fucking monster.

Maybe also no unsupervised visits to anyone ever.

This man has no business in Congress, and no business getting anywhere near his own child. What a monster.

Family values

And the “Party of personal responsibility”

Every movement Conservative and hard core GOP'r I've known has been a terrible person in ways that are unrelated to their politics or merely tangentially related. EVERY. SINGLE. ONE. And it has been many, despite me trying hardest not to assosciate with these mf'rs. "Conservatism" only appeals to...

people who are incredibly morally lacking. Prove me wrong

I can’t. bsky.app/profile/cara...

Wow. I will call this guy a psychopath because you can’t. What a monster. He behaves like this and expects us to believe he didn’t do all the other terrible things alleged.

He is (of course) punishing Emily by intentionally withholding his own child’s favourite toy, knowing the child will be upset and unable to sleep.

I didn't think it was possible to hate this man any more, but torturing his own toddler is far beyond what's come to light already. Further thoughts I share might get me a door knock so that's all I'll say.

Every woman I know knows someone with an ex who did twisted stuff like this just to flex some power in a failed relationship. Blind to the emotional harm they were causing their child. Dunking on the “bad” parent was all that mattered.

If this is what he will do to his own child, imagine what he will be willing to do to us as a legislator. Republicans are truly broken human beings.

I’m thinking sociopaths shouldn’t be wielding the levers of power.

What a sicko. I'm 100% positive that this is far from the worst thing this guys ever done. I'm scared to find out what that might be

He broke the child's collar bone, and then gave his (then) wife crap for bringing her to the ER.

It's easy to believe that now (not that it was hard before,) because of the bunny thing...

This man is a monster. My sons had blankets that were significant comfort objects, and hearing this story honestly makes me feel VERY stabby

If/when Max Miller ever does go to jail, I hope someone will print out your thread of him holding his daughter‘s bunny hostage and pass copies around to whatever prison he ends up in

Was there EVER a better example of ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT? Taking a 2 yr old's toy and refusing to return it? What kind of mind games must he be playing with her in person? Ohio DCFS, get your act together!

What do you bet if it was his SON and a favorite toy this would not be happening? Misogyny for his own child.

Gonna squeeze my Blåhaj extra tight tonight and think about that child.

Of all the vile cretins who surround the monster-in-chief, I think I may hate this man the most.

Why is Miller not resigning? Because he’s read Project 2025 — he’ll still have a job if the elections go awry.

if he can finish this term and serve one year of his next one, his pension will be fully-vested (as MTG knew, to the day).

Well, if the people of OH have any sense, they'll now exactly how to respond to that possibility...

Look at their current congressional delegations in the U.S. and state legislatures. Those are the fekkers who gifted us Senator Vance. Good luck to all of us this November.

Duncan Issa gets ready to fight like a demon!

This is seriously sociopath behavior. He’s so disgusting and cruel

This makes my blood absolutely boil. How could anyone be so cavalier about the feelings of their own child? It’s hard to fathom. I hope he doesn’t have to be a part of her life because she is better off without him.

Your reporting is fantastic. This man, on the other hand…. So many other people on this thread have written what I am thinking. What a monster. My heart goes out to his ex-wife and daughter.

Mind blowing but not surprising. The things some "parents" will do to their children so the other parent has to deal with the fallout. This is one of the worst examples of it. How does he plan to defend such egregious behavior in Court? May the blue bunny incident of 2026 haunt this POS forever.

Incapable of being haunted.

If it were my kid, next time she goes to his house, she'd be bringing the blue bunny body double.

From the party that wants to protect women and children....

I still have the stuffed doggie my sister for me when I was 3. 30 years ago. Even now, if that toy was taken from me, I would be incredibly sad about it for the rest of my life

Cruelty against your baby daughter. Horrific. Reason 4080 why a lot of women #choosethebear

That poor little girl. Her father is a horrible person. And our court system will require that she spends time with him whether she wants to or not.

No words. This makes me so sad ~ for the child, the mom, and the man who is so twisted inside that he would (allegedly) physically and emotionally abuse his tiny, innocent, defenseless daughter. You just know the story doesn’t end there. (Well, guess I had a lot of words after all.)

Extremely gross but sadly unsurprising behavior from an obviously dangerous man with a pattern of sadistic and violent behavior

He's a fucking psychopath. This is so bizarre.

Did he hurt the blue bunny?? Hiding it from his daughter to punish her mother is a total dick move.

Yeah he's destroyed it in a fit of rage, and now desperately trying to deflect.

JFC

I legitimately thought this was satire until I read the full thread

Not that I endorse Max Miller's cruel behavior, but isn't there a point at which you buy a second, reserve blue bunny to keep at home. I'm sure Bernie Moreno has the money. I'm not sure he has the smarts.

the child would know it wasn’t her bunny.

This guy shouldn't be allowed within 500yds of his family, let alone a Congressional seat

You have mixed up the order.

Sad as hell, just punishing his child. Awful!

He sounds like he is a monster of a parent!

That’s sick behavior

you’re doing great work here on such an awful subject. thanks (and sorry)

Villainous.

😱

Guy needs to get Cameron Poe’d

Thanks for this.

What a complete asshole. That poor child

Is this real? I’m hoping it’s a parody

It’s really great that you have not experienced this type of abuse. Yes. It’s very real.