James Fishback, a Republican candidate for Florida governor, claimed the Department of Justice is investigating his primary opponent, Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL), for alleged sex trafficking claims.
During a press conference in Tallahassee on Thursday, Fishback based his allegations on information provided by a whistleblower seemingly familiar with the federal investigation. He did not take any questions from reporters after the press conference.
Fishback alleged Donalds and embattled Rep. Cory Mills (R-FL) “solicited, procured, and paid women for sexual acts” on two separate occasions in 2024 at MGM National Harbor near Washington, D.C. Both Florida Republicans were sitting congressmen at the time. Fishback said he was “reluctant” to share the news publicly, noting he contacted Donalds before delivering the announcement.
“I specifically gave Congressman Donalds the opportunity to come before the public to share what he knew and to disclose the details of this investigation, and he chose not to,” Fishback said.
The Washington Examiner contacted Donalds and Mills for comment on the allegations.
The DOJ allegedly expanded its investigation of Mills to include Donalds, according to Fishback and the anonymous whistleblower.
However, a DOJ law enforcement official denied that the department is investigating Donalds or Mills for federal sex trafficking. Rather, the official told the Washington Examiner that there is no investigation into Donalds and that the investigation into Mills is not sexual in nature. His investigation is finance-related, the official said. Mills has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
At a prior press conference, Donalds called Fishback a “clown.”
“We’re at that point in the campaign where people are just throwing anything they can,” the congressman said this week before Fishback made the shocking announcement. “The desperation speaks for itself. We’re focused on the next 14 days making sure we win the Republican nomination, and then we’re onto November to protect Florida and defend the Florida dream.”
On Thursday, Fishback said he directed his campaign not to run any ads attacking Donalds over the new allegations because “this is not political.”
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The businessman-turned-candidate disclosed the allegations less than two weeks before the Aug. 18 Republican primary. He is currently polling behind Donalds by double digits.
Donalds is endorsed by President Donald Trump. Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) has not weighed in on who he wants to succeed him.
Kaelan Deese contributed to this report.