In a striking escalation of his rhetoric, former President Donald Trump described former Wyoming Representative Liz Cheney as a “radical war hawk” and suggested she should personally experience combat with “guns trained on her face.” Trump’s remarks have sparked widespread condemnation from political opponents and advocacy groups, who argue his comments demonstrate a potential threat to democratic freedoms.
Trump, who is facing Vice President Kamala Harris in the upcoming presidential election, further dismissed Cheney as “a very dumb individual” during a campaign rally in Arizona on Thursday. He reminded his audience that both Cheney and her father, former Vice President Dick Cheney, have declined to endorse his third bid for the presidency.
“She’s a radical war hawk,” Trump stated during his Arizona event with Tucker Carlson. “Let’s put her with a rifle standing there with nine barrels shooting at her, OK? Let’s see how she feels about it when the guns are trained on her face.” The former president’s comments were met with applause from his supporters, yet have drawn sharp criticism for their perceived incitement of violence against political opponents.
Cruel, Unstable Man Who Wants To Be A Tyrant: Liz Cheney
In his speeches, Trump has reiterated promises to investigate or prosecute his political adversaries, including Cheney. He has indicated that he may expand his focus to include election officials, members of the media, and various progressive groups, collectively labeled as “radical left lunatics.” Trump has also hinted that he would consider deploying the military in response to potential civil unrest on Election Day, a stance that has raised concerns about authoritarianism.
Cheney, once a prominent voice within the Republican Party, has become one of Trump’s most vocal Republican critics, endorsing Vice President Harris in the race against him. Cheney, who has labeled Trump a “danger,” crossed party lines in what she described as an effort to safeguard democratic institutions over partisanship.
“This is how dictators destroy free nations,” Cheney responded in a post on X, the social platform formerly known as Twitter. “They threaten those who speak against them with death. We cannot entrust our country and our freedom to a petty, vindictive, cruel, unstable man who wants to be a tyrant.” Cheney added the hashtag “#Womenwillnotbesilenced” in a rallying call to stand against what she perceives as threats to civil liberties.
Trump’s Spokesperson Defends His Comments
Trump’s spokesperson, Karoline Leavitt, defended his statements, accusing the media of stirring controversy in an attempt to sway public opinion ahead of the election. “President Trump is 100% correct that warmongers like Liz Cheney are very quick to start wars and send other Americans to fight them, rather than go into combat themselves,” Leavitt asserted. She dismissed the backlash as “fake media outrage” strategically timed to interfere with Trump’s campaign.
Once a high-ranking leader in the U.S. House of Representatives, Cheney lost her congressional seat after supporting Trump’s second impeachment, which focused on his role in the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack. Cheney subsequently played a pivotal role in the bipartisan investigation into the events of that day, further distancing herself from Trump and alienating much of her party base.
Now, Cheney has appeared at campaign events with Vice President Harris, calling for Republicans and independent voters in key swing states to back Harris in defense of democratic values. In recent appearances, she has emphasized the dangers she sees in Trump’s proposed policies and rhetoric, aiming to rally Americans who fear the erosion of democratic norms.
A Complex Political Partnership With Democrats
Despite deep-rooted political divides, Cheney and her father, Dick Cheney, have recently garnered admiration from some Democrats, particularly for their vocal stance against Trump’s role in the Capitol attack. Although Dick Cheney’s reputation remains controversial due to his ardent support of the Iraq War under President George W.
Bush, both Cheneys have received bipartisan acknowledgment for prioritizing country over party lines. Notably, Bush himself has chosen not to endorse any candidate in the race, underscoring the widening divisions within the Republican Party regarding its leadership.
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