Republican National Committee chairman Joe Gruter is facing widespread criticism after declining to address domestic abuse allegations against Rep. Max Miller (R-OH) during a televised interview, instead framing the matter as a divorce proceeding.

Gruter, a Florida state senator who leads the RNC, appeared on News Nation's "The Hill Sunday" and was asked whether the committee would commit resources to Miller's re-election campaign. He sidestepped the question.

"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 Republican congressman of subjecting her to extensive physical and emotional abuse, including holding a gun to her head and breaking their toddler daughter's collarbone. The allegations first surfaced during their divorce proceedings and have since drawn public attention to Miller's fitness for office.

Despite the severity of the allegations, Gruter indicated that the RNC intends to support Miller's campaign, consistent with the committee's general policy of backing Republican incumbents.

"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 remarks triggered immediate condemnation across social media, with critics arguing that characterizing abuse allegations as a routine divorce minimizes the seriousness of the claims.

"RNC endorses domestic violence," wrote political organizer Melanie D'Arrigo (source).

"So that's a yes supporting a guy who assaulted his wife and child," said Tim Fullerton of Find Out Media (source). "Cool party guys."

"Republicans say they're going to financially support the campaign of a domestic abuser," observed Hemant Mehta, author of the "Friendly Atheist" blog (source). "In case you had any doubt."

"So, the Dem in this race has to pounce on this," urged X user Khadija B. Targaryen (source). "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," wrote X user Donna J. Drexel (source).

Miller, who represents Ohio's 7th congressional district, has previously denied the allegations. The original interview segment was shared by journalist Aaron Rupar (source).