Politician Garners Controversy For Joking About Violence Against Rival In Unearthed Text Messages: Report

A politician is in hot water after allegedly joking about violence against his political rival.

In newly unearthed texts, Democratic Attorney General candidate Jay Jones joked he wanted to put “two bullets” in the then-Virginia House Speaker Todd Gilbert. The texts originate from 2022.

Jones allegedly was texting Republican Delegate Carrie Coyner, the attorney general nominee. He suggested violence against then-House Speaker Todd Gilbert, according to reports from Fox News.

• “Three people, two bullets,” Jones wrote in the text obtained by Fox News. “Gilbert, Hitler, and Pol Pot.”

• “Gilbert gets two bullets to the head,” he continued. “Spoiler: put Gilbert in the crew with the two worst people you know, and he receives both bullets every time.”

According to Coyner, it appeared that Jones accidentally sent the texts to the politician. She condemned the texts.

• “What he said was not just disturbing but disqualifying for anyone who wants to seek public office,” Coyner told the outlet.
• “Jay Jones wished violence on the children of a colleague and talked about shooting Todd Gilbert,” she added. “It’s disgusting and unbecoming of any public official.”

Politician Speaks Out On Texts

According to the texts, Jones allegedly meant to send to the text to “Mark.” However, the politician dug himself into a bigger hole by continuing the line of conversation with Coyner.

“If those guys die before me, I will go to their funerals to p*** on their graves,” the politician continued. “Send them out awash in something.”

Coyner begged for Jones to stop talking like that and also reportedly sent the messages to Gilbert. The two allegedly had little contact afterwards. Now, the texts have leaked to the public.

Following the backlash, the politician has issued a statement apologizing to Gilbert and his family.

• “I’m sick to my stomach when I read those words,” Jones told the outlet. “Certainly they’re objectionable, they’re abhorrent, they have no place in Virginia, no place in this country’s discourse. Again, I am so deeply, deeply sorry.”

• “Virginians deserve honest leaders who admit when they are wrong and own up to their mistakes. This was a grave mistake and I will work every day to prove to the people of Virginia that I will fight for them as Attorney General.”