In an escalating display of aggressive rhetoric, former President Donald Trump suggested that former Rep. Liz Cheney should face gunfire, comments made during a Thursday campaign event in Arizona hosted by former Fox News anchor Tucker Carlson. Trump, referring to Cheney as "a radical war hawk," went on to say, "Let's put her with a rifle standing there with nine barrels shooting at her, OK? Let's see how she feels about it, you know, when the guns are trained on her face."
Cheney, a prominent GOP critic of Trump, responded forcefully in a post on X (formerly Twitter), writing, "This is how dictators destroy free nations. They threaten those who speak against them with death." Cheney further condemned Trump's rhetoric, adding, "We cannot entrust our country and our freedom to a petty, vindictive, cruel, unstable man who wants to be a tyrant."
The former president's remarks follow months of increasingly violent language, which has raised concerns among political analysts and opponents about the potential impact on voter safety and public trust. Trump has frequently used militaristic and inflammatory language throughout his campaign, referring to the upcoming 2024 election as "the final battle" and declaring, "I am your retribution," during the Conservative Political Action Conference earlier this year.
During the Arizona rally, Trump expanded his attacks on Cheney, calling her "very dumb," "a stupid person," and "the moron." He also criticized her support of Vice President Kamala Harris and surprise endorsement by former Vice President Dick Cheney, remarking, "I don't blame him for sticking with his daughter, but his daughter's a very dumb individual - very dumb."
Cheney's outspoken opposition to Trump has roots in her role as vice chair of the House Select Committee investigating the January 6 Capitol riot, during which she often clashed with her party's leadership. Her criticism of Trump's alleged role in the attack and her efforts to hold him accountable ultimately led to her losing her seat in Congress to a Trump-endorsed candidate in Wyoming's GOP primary. Since then, Cheney has campaigned alongside Harris, urging Republicans to support Democrats to defend what she argues is a fragile democracy at risk under Trump.
Trump's comments represent his latest foray into violent rhetoric, which has included suggestions of military crackdowns on political opponents. Former Defense Secretary Mark Esper, in his memoir, detailed how Trump once asked if protesters outside the White House following George Floyd's death could be shot "in the legs or something." His campaign rhetoric has drawn alarm not only from Democrats but from independent analysts and some members of his own party.
In response, Vice President Harris condemned Trump's recent rhetoric in a speech delivered from the Ellipse in Washington, where Trump once held his rally on January 6, 2021. "Donald Trump intends to use the United States military against American citizens who simply disagree with him. People he calls 'the enemy from within,'" she said. Harris further warned, "This is someone who is unstable, obsessed with revenge, consumed with grievance, and out for unchecked power."
Trump's statements come at a critical juncture in the campaign, days before the November 5 election. His latest remarks against Cheney follow his previous characterization of Capitol riot participants as "hostages," part of an ongoing narrative that positions Trump as a champion of individuals convicted for actions on January 6. This approach has drawn severe criticism from some moderate Republicans and political analysts who warn of the risks associated with normalizing such language.
The political landscape is further charged as Trump's opposition grows not just from the left but from traditional conservatives like Cheney, who has openly campaigned with Democrats to counter what she describes as Trump's "dangerous" influence. Her actions underscore the stark divisions within the GOP, as Trump remains the leading contender for the Republican nomination despite legal battles and ongoing investigations.
Trump's use of incendiary rhetoric has been a staple of his political style, from his first presidential campaign when he suggested he would like to "punch" a heckler to recent calls for "retribution" against his detractors. The escalation of these statements has heightened tensions around the 2024 election, sparking concern over how such language might influence the political climate and further polarize an already divided electorate.
As the campaign heats up, Cheney's response to Trump's Arizona remarks reflects an urgent call to action, with a clear message aimed at Republicans and Democrats alike. "They threaten those who speak against them with death," Cheney warned in her post, amplifying her stance against Trump's potential return to office as a risk to national stability and democratic values.
