Donald Trump criticized former Rep Liz Cheney, calling her a “war hawk” and suggesting she should be put on the front line with guns aimed at her.
At a campaign event in Arizona with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, Trump derided Cheney, one of his prominent GOP critics, calling her “very dumb,” a “stupid person,” and a “moron.”
Trump’s comments on Cheney mark a heightened use of violent rhetoric against his opponents. His remarks come just days before a key election, following his recent statements advocating a military crackdown on those he labels as “the enemy within.”
Cheney, a vocal critic of Trump’s actions surrounding the 2020 election and the January 6 Capitol riot, played a key role in the House committee investigating the attack. She was later defeated in her Wyoming House primary by a Trump-backed challenger in 2022.
Recently, Cheney has campaigned with Vice President Kamala Harris, urging Republicans to set aside party loyalty to support democracy and reject Trump.
Trump also expressed surprise that former vice president Dick Cheney endorsed Harris, noting that he had previously pardoned Cheney’s former chief of staff, Scooter Libby. He described Liz Cheney as “stupid” and claimed she frequently pushed for military action during her time in House GOP leadership.
Trump’s history of using inflammatory language stretches back to his first presidential run in 2015-2016, when he suggested physical responses to protesters. Former defense secretary Mark Esper also wrote that Trump once suggested shooting protesters near the White House after George Floyd’s death.
In launching his 2024 campaign, Trump proclaimed himself “retribution” and warned that the election would be the “final battle.”
Throughout his campaign, Trump has described individuals convicted over the Capitol riot as “hostages,” adding to his combative stance. Vice President Harris has highlighted Trump’s rhetoric, arguing in a recent speech that he aims to use the U.S. military against Americans he views as opponents, portraying him as someone fixated on revenge and unfit to lead.
