You better watch what you say behind closed doors. It may come back to bite you.
And now leaked texts just sank this Democrat candidate’s campaign.
Jones’ Inflammatory Texts Spark Outrage Over Rhetoric’s Dangers
A Democratic candidate for Virginia attorney general, Jay Jones, faces backlash after text messages surfaced Friday revealing his graphic fantasies about shooting the state’s House speaker, fueling fresh alarm over the dangers of inflammatory political language that sows division and risks real-world harm.
The August 2022 exchange, obtained by Fox News Digital, unfolded between Jones—then a former Norfolk delegate—and Del. Carrie Coyner, R-Chester, shortly after the passing of moderate Democrat Del. Joe Johnson, D-Bristol, at age 90.
“Hence the glowing tributes from the Rs. Damn, that (message) was for Mark,” Jones texted Del. Carrie Coyner, R-Chester.
Jones speculated that Johnson’s bipartisan ties explained Republican praise, including from then-Speaker Todd Gilbert, R-Luray, and escalated into dark threats.
“If those guys die before me, I will go to their funerals to p*** on their graves,” he continued. “Send them out awash in something.”
Escalating Threats: Bullets and “Fascist” Accusations
Coyner sought to de-escalate: “Jay Jones.”
But Jones pressed on, outlining a chilling hit list.
“Three people, two bullets. Gilbert, H-tler and Pol Pot. Gilbert gets two bullets to the head.”
“Spoiler: put Gilbert in the crew with the two worst people you know and he receives both bullets every time,” he wrote.
Coyner interjected once more: “Jay. Please stop.”
“Lol. OK, OK,” he replied.
A follow-up call ensued, after which Jones shifted tone: “I genuinely was [asking questions]. I wasn’t attacking you. I was trying to understand your logic.”
When Coyner pushed back, Jones added, “Yes, I’ve told you this before. Only when people feel pain personally do they move on policy.”
In another message, Jones mused on Gilbert and his wife: whether they were “breeding fascists.”
Such exchanges exemplify a perilous trend in politics where heated words normalize violence, endangering public servants and eroding the civil discourse essential to democracy—reminders that rhetoric like this doesn’t just wound feelings; it can incite tragedy.
Backlash Builds: Condemnations and Campaign Spin
Garren Shipley, spokesperson for Coyner’s campaign, verified the texts and deemed them “disturbing and disqualifying for anyone who wants to seek public office.”
“Jay Jones wished violence on the children of a colleague and joked about shooting Todd Gilbert. It’s disgusting and unbecoming of any public official,” Shipley said.
Gilbert, who stepped down from the speakership to join Trump’s Justice Department as U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Virginia before departing that role, has stayed silent through a source.
The revelations sparked outrage from Del. Geary Higgins, R-Lovettsville, who highlighted a pattern of threats against conservatives.
“They shot the president. They k-lled Charlie Kirk. They threatened to k-ll Kim Taylor. They said they’d k-ll me at my next rally, then my kids. Now we learn Jay Jones repeatedly said he wanted to k-ll Speaker Todd Gilbert. Is this what ‘letting your rage fuel you’ looks like?” he said, alluding to Democratic gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger’s separate “rage” comment.
Spanberger swiftly distanced herself, stating she confronted Jones directly.
“I will always condemn violent language in our politics,” Spanberger said.
A source indicated Jones misfired the initial text to Coyner, who informed Gilbert.
Reached by Fox News Digital, Jones didn’t dispute authorship but pivoted to his rival.
“Like all people, I’ve sent text messages that I regret, and I believe that violent rhetoric has no place in our politics,” Jones said.
“Let’s be clear about what is happening in the attorney general race right now: Jason Miyares is dropping smears through Trump-controlled media organizations to assault my character and rescue his desperate campaign.
“This is a strategy that ensures Jason Miyares will continue to be accountable to Donald Trump, not the people of Virginia. This race is about whether Trump can control Virginia or Virginians control Virginia.”
In an era scarred by assassinations and threats, Jones’ words serve as a stark warning: political venom like this doesn’t advance ideas—it poisons the well of trust, invites escalation, and betrays the nonviolent principles that have long defined American governance.
