The House Freedom Caucus denied claims that some of its members want Rep. Brandon Gill, R-Texas, removed from the group, accusing the media of manufacturing Republican infighting less than two weeks before the midterm elections.

“This is absurd. Brandon Gill is a rising star in the House Freedom Caucus. The media is so desperate to distract from socialists taking over the Democrat party that they’re ginning up anonymous-source hit pieces on Republicans less than 2 weeks before the Midterms. Don’t fall for the phony manufactured drama.”

The statement came after Axios reported Thursday that several Freedom Caucus members had privately questioned whether Gill still belonged in the hardline conservative group. According to four sources familiar with the conversations, some members had discussed removing him, although the discussions remained informal and the issue had not been brought before a caucus meeting. It remains unclear whether enough members would support a formal effort to remove him.

The reported dispute centers partly on Gill’s rapid rise within the Republican Party. The 32-year-old Texas congressman has become a prominent conservative voice, developed close ties with President Donald Trump’s political orbit, and launched a bid to become the top Republican on the House Oversight Committee. His growing influence has reportedly frustrated some colleagues who believe he has become less involved with the Freedom Caucus as his national profile has expanded.

One anonymous caucus member told Axios that Gill was “not really in the Freedom Caucus” and was using the group for conservative credentials. Another described the caucus as “livid” with him. Other members reportedly accused Gill of failing to adequately support fellow conservatives in competitive races despite benefiting from introductions to the group’s donor network.

Gill’s fundraising success has also drawn attention. He raised approximately $4.7 million during the third quarter, a substantial sum for a freshman lawmaker. However, his office pushed back against the criticism, pointing out that Gill has contributed to the campaigns of more than a dozen Freedom Caucus members.

A spokesperson for Gill told Axios that the congressman remains focused on helping Republicans retain control of the House, saying he is “laser-focused on getting out the vote and ensuring Republicans hold the majority this November.”

Not all caucus members share the reported criticism. Rep. Mark Harris, R-N.C., another freshman member of the group, defended Gill’s participation, telling Axios, “I'm not frustrated with Brandon at all. He comes to meetings. I don't know why they feel like he doesn't.”

House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn., has also praised Gill’s political potential. Earlier this month, Emmer told Axios that Gill “needs to be out front. I don't care where it is,” adding, “Brandon is the future of our party, and his communication skills are phenomenal.”

The controversy comes as the Freedom Caucus faces a period of transition, with at least 10 members expected to leave Congress or not return for the next term. The group has long played an influential role in pushing Republican leadership toward more conservative policies, sometimes using procedural challenges to block or delay legislation it considers insufficiently conservative.

The caucus has removed members in the past, including former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene in 2023 and former Rep. Ken Buck in 2024. However, no formal effort to remove Gill has been reported.

For now, the Freedom Caucus is publicly rejecting the suggestion that Gill’s position within the group is in jeopardy. Its statement portrays the controversy as an attempt to sow division among Republicans ahead of the midterms, while the underlying allegations remain based on accounts from anonymous sources describing private discussions rather than a formal caucus action.