Jesse Watters gets fact-checked by Kevin McCarthy live on ‘Fox News’ over Trump’s endorsement of Cory Mills
Kevin McCarthy corrected Jesse Watters live, ‘ON-AIR,’ during his own show, Jesse Watters Primetime.
The Fox News host was left scrambling after he discussed election results with the former Speaker of the House. McCarthy dismantled Watters’ claim that the president “did not endorse Mills.”
Jesse Watters faces humiliation while live ‘ON-AIR’
After Watters’ statement, McCarthy shot back, “[Trump] did. He just didn’t go out and campaign hard.”
When Watters pressed, “What happened there?” regarding Cory Mills’ loss to Ryan Elijah, McCarthy pointed to deeper problems and explained how there were “a lot” of ethics “issues.”
“Had he won, that seat could’ve been in jeopardy for Republicans,” McCarthy continued. “So, it’s probably a good thing for the Republican Party to hold on to that seat.”
The former Speaker’s correction carried weight, given his position within Republican leadership. His intervention was a rare moment of accountability; meanwhile, Watters’ credibility now comes under scrutiny as the midterm elections approach.
Donald Trump broke his silence after Cory Mills’ primary defeat
Donald Trump endorsed Mills in February, but the congressman’s campaign collapsed after a wave of controversy. He faced accusations of potential campaign finance violations and more.
In August 2025, Miss United States 2024 winner Lindsey Langston filed a lawsuit against Mills. She was an ex-girlfriend who alleged that Mills threatened to release explicit content after she ended their relationship.
Langston also claimed he threatened her future partners and a court granted Langston a restraining order against Mills through 2025 (via NBC News).
The president went on to win Florida’s 7th district by 12 percentage points in the 2024 election, yet Mills still lost.
Per unofficial election results, Elijah captured 47.1% of the vote while Mills secured only 34.3% (via The Daytona Beach News-Journal).
Trump never withdrew his endorsement of Mills, who consistently denied any wrongdoing and after he lost, the POTUS took to Truth Social.
“I told Congressman Cory Mills of Florida, a friend of mine, to get out of the Race, but he wouldn’t listen,” wrote the president. “He thought he could win, so who can blame him?”
“We now have a great candidate, Ryan Elijah, running in his place! Ryan stands for EVERYTHING MAGA and is respected by ALL,” he added. “He has my Complete and Total Endorsement!”