Trump Allegedly Calls Jay Jones an 'Animal' Over Violent Texts
Jay Jones speaks at Spanberger's bus rally in Fairfax City, 2025. Photo courtesy of Adnan Masri. Public domain.
President Donald Trump did not hold back when discussing Virginia's Democratic attorney general nominee Jay Jones, reportedly labeling him an "animal" and insisting that "anybody would be put in prison" for the violent text messages Jones sent about political opponents. The president's remarks came amid a heated campaign season in Virginia, where Jones's past messages have become a lightning rod for criticism from Republicans and some Democrats alike.
Trump's Fiery Rebuke
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump unleashed a barrage of insults aimed at Jones, who recently faced backlash for texts in which he fantasized about shooting a Republican colleague. Trump described Jones as a "third-rate intellect" and questioned how he could be allowed to run for office after expressing such violent sentiments, as reported by Fox News. He went on, "You mean the one that wanted to kill some of his children and kill somebody? You mean the animal that wanted to kill somebody who should not be allowed to be running for that office?" and emphasizing that Jones's statements were so extreme that "anybody would be put in prison for what he said," as reported by Fox News.
Trump's comments came shortly after Jones had criticized the president during a campaign debate in Virginia. The president also dismissed Jones as part of a long list of attorney generals who have "been suing and losing," as reported by Fox News, further undermining Jones's credibility in the eyes of his supporters.
The Text Messages That Sparked Outrage
The controversy centers on a series of text messages Jones sent in 2022 to Virginia state lawmaker Carrie Coyner. In one message, Jones imagined a scenario where he would "fire two bullets" into then-House Speaker Todd Gilbert's head, comparing Gilbert unfavorably to notorious dictators Pol Pot and Adolf Hitler, as reported by Fox News. Jones also referred to Gilbert's young children as "fascists," escalating the inflammatory nature of the texts.
During a recent debate, Jones apologized for the messages, saying he was "ashamed" and "embarrassed" by his past words, as reported by Newsweek. He expressed regret to Speaker Gilbert, his family, and Virginians at large, acknowledging that he could not take back what he said but promising to be accountable moving forward. "You also have my word that I will spend every waking moment fighting for you," Jones told voters.
Despite the apology, the texts have shaken up the Virginia attorney general race, which is often viewed as a bellwether for national political trends. Jones had been leading in polls before the messages surfaced, but Republicans have seized on the scandal to energize their base and attack the Democratic ticket.
Republican Response and Strategy
Republicans have wasted no time turning the controversy into a campaign weapon. Virginia's incumbent attorney general, Jason Miyares, called on Jones to step aside, describing the texts as "a moral test for our time," as reported by POLITICO. GOP Governor Glenn Youngkin labeled the messages "beyond disqualifying," while President Trump demanded Jones "drop out of the race, IMMEDIATELY" on social media.
The Republican Governors Association and Miyares's campaign have reportedly poured millions into TV ads highlighting Jones's violent rhetoric. According to ad tracking data, GOP-aligned groups reserved $3.5 million in advertising this week, far outpacing the $1.6 million spent by Democrats backing Jones, as reported by POLITICO. The ads also target Democratic gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger, who has refused to withdraw her endorsement of Jones despite the controversy.
Republican strategists see the scandal as a potential "October surprise" that could sway voters in a low-turnout election, as reported by POLITICO. "This is no longer an AG race story," said Adam Piper, executive director of the Republican Attorneys General Association. "This is a governor race story ... this is a national conversation, and the Democrat Party is at a fork in the road."
Democratic Defense and Division
While Republicans have rallied around the issue, many Democrats have downplayed the significance of Jones's texts or defended his continued candidacy. Virginia state Sen. Lamont Bagby, chair of the state Democratic Party, accused Republicans of selective outrage, pointing to violent rhetoric from Trump and other GOP figures that he says has gone unchallenged. Bagby argued that Jones's texts do not warrant ending his campaign, as reported by POLITICO.
Spanberger's campaign expressed "disgust" over the texts but stopped short of calling for Jones to drop out, as reported by POLITICO. The Democratic National Committee declined to comment, while the president of the Democratic Attorneys General Association dismissed calls for Jones's resignation as "selective outrage."
Jones himself has sought to shift the focus away from his past messages, emphasizing his commitment to protecting Virginians from what he describes as overreach by the Trump administration, as reported by POLITICO. In the recent debate, he challenged Republicans to take accountability for their own incendiary language, citing Trump's role in the January 6 Capitol riot and attacks by other GOP figures.
Additional Controversies
Jones has faced other controversies during his campaign. According to reporting by the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Jones was caught driving 116 miles per hour and struck a deal to avoid jail time by paying a fine and completing community service, some of which he reportedly performed while working at his own political action committee, as reported by POLITICO.
Furthermore, according to POLITICO, the Virginia Scope reported that Jones allegedly suggested more police officers should die to prevent them from killing civilians. Jones denies making these statements, and the claim remains unproven.
Polling and Election Outlook
Before the text message scandal broke, Jones was leading in polls. A Washington Post-Schar School survey found Jones ahead of Miyares by six percentage points among likely voters, as reported by POLITICO. Early voting is already underway in Virginia, with the general election reportedly scheduled for November 4, 2025.
What's Next in Virginia
With early voting underway and Election Day approaching, the fallout from Jones's texts and Trump's attacks continues to shape the race. Jones remains on the ballot, and Democrats appear unlikely to replace him given election rules. Republicans are pressing their advantage, while Democrats hope to weather the storm by focusing on broader issues.
The Virginia attorney general race has become a microcosm of national tensions, where past mistakes, harsh rhetoric, and political strategy collide. As voters head to the polls, the question remains whether the controversy will tip the scales or fade into the background of a fiercely contested election.
References: Trump calls Virginia AG candidate Jay Jones 'animal' over violent texts | Jay Jones texting scandal breathes new life into GOP push in Virginia | Jay Jones Confronted Over Offensive Texts During Debate
