James Fishback publicly retracted his sex trafficking allegations and apologized to Representatives Byron Donalds and Cory Mills, citing his Catholic faith and a Justice Department denial.
Story Snapshot
- Fishback admitted his August allegation was a “terrible mistake” and apologized to both lawmakers and their families.
- He said he accepts the Department of Justice’s statement that neither Donalds nor Mills is under investigation.
- The Justice Department called the original allegation “absolutely false,” undercutting the claim.
- Strategists and campaigns denounced the accusation as baseless and politically timed near a primary.
What Fishback Said And Why It Matters
On October 28, James Fishback issued a written apology retracting his claim that Representatives Byron Donalds and Cory Mills were under a federal sex trafficking investigation. He called his August allegation a “terrible mistake,” accepted the Justice Department’s denial, and asked forgiveness from both men and their families. He said neither lawmaker nor their lawyers pushed him to apologize. His statement framed the retraction as a matter of conscience and faith.
Fishback said his original information came from a person he trusted, but he now accepts that it was wrong. He stated that neither Donalds nor Mills is under federal investigation, as the Department of Justice made clear. He emphasized that he was not contacted by either man or their counsel about the apology. His admission and direct apology closed the loop on a claim that stirred intense attention in early August.
How The Justice Department And Campaigns Responded
The Department of Justice publicly rejected the core allegation, with a spokesperson calling it “absolutely false.” That statement directly contradicted the claim that Donalds faced any sex trafficking probe. Separate reporting described any matter tied to Mills as financial, not sexual in nature, further weakening the original story. These public denials shaped coverage and added institutional weight to the pushback against Fishback’s charge.
Campaigns and political operatives criticized the allegation when it first surfaced and after the retraction. Donalds’s team labeled the claim baseless and defamatory. A strategist allied with Mills urged Fishback to leave politics over the false claim. The episode unfolded near a Republican primary, when accusations can move votes. That timing fueled claims that the charge was a late hit that harmed trust, even if it was later walked back.
Why Timing And Retractions Still Matter To Voters
August reports said Fishback’s allegation pointed to two 2024 dates at a Maryland hotel and claimed the lawmakers paid for sex, making the claim specific and damaging. Even when a claim is withdrawn, research shows that false accusations can shape impressions that linger after a correction. One recent study found negative views can persist even when people learn the truth later, which helps explain why retractions do not always erase political harm.
He accused two sitting congressmen of sex trafficking.
Now he wants forgiveness.
1. In early August, James Fishback claimed U.S. Reps. Byron Donalds and Cory Mills were under federal sex trafficking investigations.
2. He said the information came from a "trusted source."
3.…
— Anticommie (@QueenAnticommie) October 29, 2026
Voters across the spectrum see a pattern: loud charges land fast, while corrections come later. Conservatives resent “weaponized” narratives. Liberals resent what they see as smear tactics. Many Americans now believe powerful players protect their own. This case shows how an official denial, a clear apology, and a faith-based admission of fault still may not fix the damage. It also shows why careful verification—before going public—protects both truth and trust.
Sources:
lifesitenews.com, newsweek.com, washingtontimes.com, miamitimesonline.com, clickorlando.com
