Monday, October 6, 2025

Vance Calls for Jay Jones to Withdraw from Race after Leaked Texts

'I’m sure the people hyperventilating about sombrero memes will join me in calling for this very deranged person to drop out of the race...'

Posted by Headline USA Editor
JD Vance
JD Vance / PHOTO: AP

(, The Center Square) Vice President JD Vance is calling for Democratic attorney general nominee Jay Jones to withdraw from Virginia’s Nov. 4 election after private text messages leaked in which Jones talked about shooting former House Speaker Todd Gilbert.

The messages, first reported by National Review, include Jones writing in 2022 that Gilbert would “receive both bullets” when compared to Hitler and Pol Pot.

In another exchange, after being told he had been talking about “hoping Jennifer Gilbert’s children would die,” Jones responded, “Yes. Only when people feel pain personally do they move on policy.”

“I’m sure the people hyperventilating about sombrero memes will join me in calling for this very deranged person to drop out of the race,” Vance wrote on X Saturday.
Jones apologized Friday, saying he takes “full responsibility” for his actions.
“Reading back those words made me sick to my stomach. I am embarrassed, ashamed, and sorry,” he said. Jones added that he reached out to apologize directly to Gilbert and his family.
Republicans echoed Vance’s demand. Virginia lieutenant governor nominee John Reid said Democrats “have a violence problem” and described the comments as disqualifying.
House Speaker Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La., said the texts are “plainly disqualifying” and urged Jones to withdraw.
Virginia Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears called the remarks “horrible to read” and said Jones “can never be Attorney General of Virginia.”
Attorney General Jason Miyares said at a press conference Saturday that he did not accept Jones’ apology.
Democratic governor candidate Abigail Spanberger said she spoke with Jones about her “disgust” with the comments and told him he must take responsibility, adding that she “will always condemn violent language in our politics.”
Lieutenant governor nominee Ghazala Hashmi and Jones’ campaign did not reply to a request for comment by the time of publication.
Copyright 2025. No part of this site may be reproduced in whole or in part in any manner other than RSS without the permission of the copyright owner. Distribution via RSS is subject to our RSS Terms of Service and is strictly enforced. To inquire about licensing our content, use the contact form at https://headlineusa.com/advertising.
Click Here To Comment
- Advertisement -
Previous article
SCOTUS Rejects Ghislaine Maxwell’s Appeal
Next article
Trump Deploys California National Guard to Portland

TRENDING NOW

TRENDING NOW

LATEST NEWS

EDITOR PICKS

POPULAR CATEGORY

HEADLINE USA • PO BOX 49043 • CHARLOTTE, NC 28277

THE INFORMATION PRESENTED HERE IS FOR GENERAL EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. YOU SHOULD ALWAYS CONSULT WITH YOUR PERSONAL PHYSICIAN REGARDING ANY PERSONAL HEALTH PROBLEM, AND YOU SHOULD ALWAYS CONSULT WITH YOUR FINANCIAL ADVISER REGARDING INVESTMENT DECISIONS. FDA DISCLOSURE: THE STATEMENTS, ARTICLES, AND PRODUCTS FEATURED IN HEADLINE USA EMAILS AND AT HEADLINEUSA.COM HAVE NOT BEEN EVALUATED BY THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION. NO INFORMATION OR PRODUCTS APPEARING IN EMAILS OR THE WEBSITE ARE INTENDED TO DIAGNOSE, TREAT, CURE, OR PREVENT ANY DISEASE. MATERIAL CONNECTION DISCLOSURE: HEADLINE USA MAY HAVE AN AFFILIATE RELATIONSHIP AND/OR ANOTHER MATERIAL CONNECTION TO ANY PERSONS OR BUSINESSES MENTIONED IN OR LINKED TO FROM EMAILS OR THE WEBSITE AND MAY RECEIVE COMMISSIONS FROM PURCHASES YOU MAKE ON SUBSEQUENT WEB SITES. YOU SHOULD NOT RELY SOLELY ON INFORMATION PUBLISHED BY HEADLINE USA TO EVALUATE THE PRODUCT OR SERVICE BEING OFFERED. ALWAYS EXERCISE YOUR OWN DUE DILIGENCE BEFORE PURCHASING ANY PRODUCT OR SERVICE.

Copyright 2025 HeadlineUSA.com