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Deranged and Unapologetic
The exchange began when Jones mistakenly texted Coyner about being upset over the “glowing tributes” Republicans were giving a recently deceased centrist Democrat. But the conversation quickly spiraled into a disturbing rant.
According to National Review, Jones later called Coyner and doubled down on his comments, going even further with vile references to Gilbert’s family. “You weren’t trying to understand,” Coyner wrote after hanging up. “You were talking about hopping [sic] jennifer Gilbert’s children would die.”
Jones chillingly responded, “Yes, I’ve told you this before. Only when people feel pain personally do they move on policy.”
He didn’t stop there. The Democrat candidate even directed his venom toward the Gilbert family, saying, “I mean do I think Todd and Jennifer are evil? And that they’re breeding little fascists? Yes.”
Outrage From Both Sides
In a statement to National Review, Coyner condemned Jones’ violent rhetoric as “not just disturbing but 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,” she said.
Even among Democrats, the silence has been deafening. Critics say if a Republican had sent similar messages, the media and left-wing activists would be calling for immediate resignation and possibly criminal investigation.
Shifting Blame to Trump
Rather than taking full responsibility, Jones initially attempted to deflect, accusing his Republican opponent, Attorney General Jason Miyares, of orchestrating a smear campaign.
“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 in a statement to Virginia Scope.
“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,” Jones added. “This is a strategy that ensures Jason Miyares will continue to be accountable to Donald Trump, not the people of Virginia.”
Forced Apology After Backlash
Only after the scandal exploded across media outlets did Jones issue a follow-up statement claiming remorse.
“I take full responsibility for my actions, and I want to issue my deepest apology to Speaker Gilbert and his family. Reading back those words made me sick to my stomach. I am embarrassed, ashamed and sorry,” Jones wrote.
“I have reached out to Speaker Gilbert to apologize directly to him, his wife Jennifer and their children. I cannot take back what I said; I can only take full accountability and offer my sincere apology.”
A Chilling Glimpse Into the Modern Left
While Jones now claims he’s remorseful, many voters see his outburst as part of a broader pattern of radicalism within today’s Democratic Party — a culture where hatred toward conservatives is normalized, even celebrated, until it spills out in ways too grotesque to hide.
With just weeks until Election Day, the Virginia attorney general race has turned into a referendum not only on policy but on basic decency — and whether voters will tolerate a candidate who once fantasized about executing a political rival and celebrating at his funeral.
