Former President Donald Trump unleashed a scathing attack on former Vice President Dick Cheney after the latter publicly endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris in the upcoming presidential election. Cheney, a prominent figure during George W. Bush's presidency, stated his support for Harris in a move that has sent shockwaves through the political landscape.
Trump, who is the GOP's presumptive nominee, took to his social media platform, Truth Social, late Friday to express his disdain for Cheney's decision, labeling him an "irrelevant RINO" - a term that stands for "Republican in Name Only." Trump's tirade extended to Cheney's daughter, Liz Cheney, who has been one of Trump's most vocal critics since the January 6 Capitol riots and lost her congressional seat to a Trump-backed challenger in 2022. "Dick Cheney is an irrelevant RINO, along with his daughter, who lost by the largest margin in the History of Congressional Races!" Trump wrote, underscoring the deep animosity between him and the Cheney family.
The former president's comments came in response to Cheney's declaration that he would support Kamala Harris in the upcoming election, citing a duty to defend the U.S. Constitution and protect the republic from what he described as the greatest threat posed by Donald Trump. "There has never been an individual who is a greater threat to our republic than Donald Trump," Cheney asserted in a statement, adding, "He [Trump] tried to steal the last election using lies and violence to keep himself in power after the voters had rejected him. He can never be trusted with power again."
Cheney's endorsement of Harris was welcomed by her campaign team. Jen O'Malley Dillon, Harris's campaign chair, expressed pride in Cheney's support, commending his courage to prioritize the country over party loyalty. Cheney's decision has amplified the voices of a growing number of Republicans who have expressed concerns about Trump's candidacy and the potential dangers they believe it poses to the country.
Trump's response was as fiery as expected, reflecting his longstanding disdain for the Cheney family, particularly Liz Cheney, who served on the House select committee investigating the January 6 insurrection and voted to impeach Trump following the riots. Trump derided the former vice president as the "King of Endless, Nonsensical Wars," a clear reference to Cheney's role in the Iraq War, which remains a controversial chapter in U.S. history.
The exchange underscores the widening rift within the Republican Party as it navigates the challenges of a post-Trump era. Cheney's decision to back a Democratic candidate, particularly one as high-profile as Harris, is a rare and significant move for a figure who once wielded considerable influence within the GOP. It also highlights the complex dynamics at play as the 2024 election approaches, with Trump continuing to dominate the Republican base while facing mounting opposition from within his own party.
Liz Cheney, who has been at the forefront of the anti-Trump movement within the GOP, has also voiced her support for Harris. Her outspoken criticism of Trump has made her a pariah among many Republican voters but has earned her respect from others who share her concerns about Trump's influence on the party and the country.
As the political drama unfolds, it remains to be seen how Cheney's endorsement will impact the broader political landscape and whether it will inspire other Republicans to follow suit. For now, Trump's aggressive response suggests that the battle for the soul of the Republican Party is far from over, with deep-seated divisions likely to continue shaping the party's future.
In his parting shot on Truth Social, Trump reaffirmed his self-proclaimed status as the "Peace President" and the only one capable of preventing World War III, dismissing Cheney's concerns as baseless and aligning Harris with what he perceives as a dangerous agenda. "Comrade Kamala is even worse!" Trump declared, leaving no doubt that the political warfare between the former president and the Cheney family is only intensifying.
