Fishback retracts claim that Florida Reps. Donalds and Mills faced federal probe

James Fishback has retracted his claim that Florida Reps. Byron Donalds and Cory Mills were under federal investigation. He said he made a "terrible mistake" and apologized to both men and their families ¹.

Fishback made the claim in early August. At the time he and Donalds were rivals for the Republican nomination for Florida governor ¹. Fishback said then that the alleged investigation involved 2024 trips by the two congressmen to the MGM National Harbor resort in Maryland ¹².

What Fishback said now

In a new post on X, Fishback said he received the information from someone he trusted. He now accepts the Justice Department's public statement that neither man is under investigation ¹.

I accept the DOJ’s public statement that neither man is under investigation, which means that I bore false witness

Fishback said he decided to retract after speaking with his priest and going to confession. He said neither congressman nor their lawyers asked him to write the post ¹.

What the Justice Department and Donalds said

In August, a Justice Department spokesperson told Newsweek that Donalds was not under investigation. The spokesperson said a law enforcement official confirmed the claim was false ². Donalds spokesperson Gates McGavick called the claims baseless and defamatory ².

Completely false. We will not be distracted by this baseless and defamatory sideshow, and neither should you.

The department's public statement did not name Mills. Newsweek has asked whether it issued a separate statement about him ¹.

Fishback's materials were never verified. He shared documents with his original post, including what he described as text messages involving Mills. Those materials have not been independently authenticated ¹.

Mills still faces other scrutiny

Fishback's retraction does not close every question about Mills. ABC News reported in July, citing multiple sources, that the Justice Department was investigating him, partly over his finances. That report did not support Fishback's later sex-trafficking allegation, and Mills' office said he was not aware of a DOJ investigation ¹.

The House Ethics Committee is also running a separate inquiry into allegations involving Mills. That includes possible violations of laws or House rules. An ethics inquiry is not a finding of wrongdoing ¹.

Where the race stands

Donalds won the Republican primary on Aug. 18 with 47.8 percent of the vote. Lt. Gov. Jay Collins took 25.2 percent, and Fishback finished third with 10.5 percent ¹. Donalds now faces Democrat David Jolly in the Nov. 3 general election ¹.

The claim was made in a primary race and was later shown to be false. Newsweek said it had sought comment from Fishback, Donalds, Mills and the Justice Department and would update its story if they responded ¹.

The Record

1. Aug 7, 2026Newsweek reports the Justice Department calling Fishback's claim about Donalds "absolutely false" ².
2. Aug 18, 2026Donalds wins the Florida Republican governor primary with 47.8 percent; Fishback finishes third with 10.5 percent ¹.
3. Oct 28, 2026Fishback retracts the claim on X and apologizes to Donalds, Mills and their families ¹.

Sources

1. Newsweek, “James Fishback Retracts Claims Against Florida Congressmen, Issues Apology” (2026-10-28). newsweek.com/james-fishback-retracts-claims-florida-congress
2. Newsweek, “James Fishback, Byron Donalds allegation 'absolutely false,' DOJ says” (2026-08-07). newsweek.com/james-fishback-byron-donalds-allegation-absolut

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