A new National Review article alleges that Jay Jones, the Democratic nominee for Virginia attorney general, made remarks fantasizing about violence against former Republican House Speaker Todd Gilbert and members of his family during Jones’ first campaign for statewide office.
The report cites text messages Jones allegedly sent to Republican Delegate Carrie Coyner on Aug. 8, 2022, shortly after the death of longtime Democratic legislator Joe Johnson Jr. As members of Virginia’s political class released tributes of their own, Jones fired off a series of early-morning texts.
In one message, he joked about using both bullets to shoot Gilbert in a hypothetical scenario where Gilbert was standing alongside Adolf Hitler and Cambodian dictator Pol Pot. “If those guys die before me, I will go to their funerals to piss on their graves,” Jones reportedly added.
According to National Review, the outlet obtained the messages independently, not from Jones’ political opponents.
In a thread posted on X, National Review reporter Audrey Fahlberg described a subsequent phone call in which Jones expressed violent wishes toward Gilbert’s family, including hoping his children die from gun violence to spur positive change.
Jones escalated further by calling Gilbert and his wife “evil” and referring to their young children as “little fascists.” Coyner said the remarks were disqualifying for public office before hanging up in disgust.
The initial messages, sent to Coyner around 4 a.m., also expressed frustration over legislative gridlock. In his response, Jones acknowledged regretting the violent rhetoric but argued the report was a Trump-influenced smear tied to his opponent, Attorney General Jason Miyares.
Jones reportedly dismissed National Review as “Trump-controlled,” despite the outlet’s long history of criticizing President Trump.
The controversy has drawn swift reactions online, with Republicans across Virginia urging Democratic gubernatorial nominee Abigail Spanberger to disavow her party’s scandal-plagued attorney general pick.
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What is so SHOCKING about this REVELATION??? AFTER ALL HE IS A DEMOCRAT!!!!!!
It’s how the Democrat Party Rolls today. it’s nothing but a Criminal Cartel.
It’s about time we end this crap the democrats (marxists) are doing and get away with. It’s really time to stand up, isn’t it?
This iss what the Democratic Party has become the Party of HATE