Les remarques de Donald Trump sur Liz Cheney, faites lors d’une interview avec Tucker Carlson en Arizona, ont provoqué une vive réaction parmi certains de ses anciens collaborateurs, qui les ont qualifiées de « dangereuses et escalatoires ». Trump a critiqué Cheney, la qualifiant de « faucon guerrier radical » et a formulé des propos troublants sur la violence. De nombreux ex-membres de son administration, tels qu’Alyssa Farah Griffin et Miles Taylor, ont exprimé leur indignation, appelant à une condamnation de ses commentaires, jugés inappropriés et menaçants. Cheney a, quant à elle, rétorqué en mettant en garde contre la rhétorique dictatoriale de Trump.
During a recent interview with Tucker Carlson in Glendale, Arizona, Donald Trump’s remarks regarding Liz Cheney provoked strong criticism from some former aides of his administration, who deemed the rhetoric as ‘dangerous and escalatory.’
The interview was part of Trump’s effort to garner support in a crucial swing state ahead of the upcoming election, and although he also held a rally, it was his comments to Carlson that drew significant attention.
Cheney has emerged as a prominent anti-Trump figure within the Republican Party, which has often frustrated the former president. In the interview, Trump labeled her as ‘a radical war hawk.’
He provocatively stated, ‘Let’s place her with a rifle, standing there with nine barrels aimed at her. Let’s see how she feels when the guns are pointed at her face.’
Trump positioned his remarks as a critique of D.C. politicians who advocate military engagements, commenting, ‘They’re all war hawks while sitting comfortably in Washington, suggesting sending 10,000 troops into danger.’
His remarks about Cheney caught the attention of former allies and advisers, prompting immediate denouncement and calls for condemnation.
Former Trump White House communication director Alyssa Farah Griffin criticized the comments as ‘unconscionable,’ expressing disbelief that Republican leaders, many of whom had previously worked alongside Cheney, would remain silent.
‘It’s dangerous and escalatory,’ Griffin emphasized, recalling Trump’s previous discussions about establishing ‘tribunals against her’ if he were to reclaim the presidency.
‘Such remarks are utterly unpresidential, reckless, and need to be publicly condemned,’ she added. Later, she voiced her skepticism on X about whether figures like Mike Johnson and Elise Stefanik would consider the comments unacceptable.
Johnson is the Republican Speaker of the House, while Stefanik replaced Cheney as House Republican Conference chair after Cheney’s condemnation of Trump and her involvement in the January 6 Committee. Cheney was also a key figure in voting to impeach Trump over the January 6 Capitol attack.
Seeking to clarify his previous comments, Trump took to Truth Social, asserting, ‘My point about Liz Cheney is that she is a war hawk, and not very bright, but she wouldn’t have the guts to fight herself.’
He added, ‘It’s easy for her to talk from a distance; if you gave her a gun and asked her to fight, she’d refuse. Her father contributed to the devastation of the Middle East and profited from it. He’s responsible for much death and likely never considered the consequences. That’s not the kind of leadership we want!’
In response to the backlash, some individuals expressed differing views. Miles Taylor, the former chief of staff at the Department of Homeland Security during Trump’s era, described the remarks as ‘sick’ and urged fellow conservatives to condemn them.
Stephanie Grisham, one of Trump’s former press secretaries, questioned where the line should be drawn, stating that every Republican candidate should be asked about the appropriateness of such rhetoric.
Cheney herself reacted to Trump’s remarks, warning on X, ‘This is how dictators undermine free nations. They threaten those who oppose them with violence.’
She argued that entrusting the country to ‘a petty, vindictive, cruel, unstable man who seeks tyranny’ is unacceptable.
In a joint statement released in September, Cheney and her father endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for president, stating, ‘In our country’s history, no one poses a greater threat to our republic than Donald Trump. He attempted to upend the last election with lies and violence after voters rejected him. He should never hold power again.’
Harris addressed Trump’s comments later, claiming that such rhetoric disqualifies anyone from the presidency, emphasizing that ‘this kind of language is clearly disqualifying and unfit for a presidential candidate.’
She praised Cheney, calling her ‘a strong individual and a remarkable American.’
Additionally, during his discussion with Carlson, Trump criticized Liz Cheney by mentioning her father Dick Cheney’s endorsement, stating, ‘While I understand why he supports his daughter, she is quite foolish.’
Previously, Trump had shared a controversial post on Truth Social implying a threat against Liz Cheney, stating, ‘Elizabeth Lynne Cheney is guilty of treason. Retruth if you support televised military tribunals.’
This remark originated from a meme account but gained traction after Trump reshared it on his platform.
Update, 11/1/24 at 3 p.m. ET: New comments from Donald Trump and Kamala Harris added in response to the backlash.
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