Virginia Democrat Jay Jones, under fire for three-year-old texts in which he advocated the assassination of a political opponent, found no support on Monday’s broadcast of MSNBC’s “Morning Joe.”
Host Mika Brzezinski brought up the topic, noting that the messages were so disturbing she hesitated to read them on air. Co-hosts Jonathan Lemire and John Heilemann appeared to share her sentiment, expressing similar discomfort with the content.
WATCH:
The DNC hacks over at Morning Joe are now calling for Jay Jones to get out of the race.
The propaganda press is suddenly turning on Jones after being mum all weekend. https://t.co/3i4obiuWZG pic.twitter.com/ZBVGAC2SIQ
— Western Lensman (@WesternLensman) October 6, 2025
“[The] text messages, horrible, I didn’t even want to read them out loud,” Brzezinski began. “How did the — I’m wondering how the text messages came to light?”
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“Deep — deeply disturbing messages,” Lemire agreed, immediately and repeatedly insisting that condemnation of Jones’ texts had come from both sides of the aisle. “Messages that have been swiftly condemned across the political aisle. The Republicans have tried to tie this to the — Congresswoman Spanberger, the gubernatorial candidate, she did very quickly denounce them.”
Spanberger did issue a statement voicing her “disgust” over the messages, but she — and many other Democrats stopped short of calling on him to drop out of the race:
“After learning of these comments earlier today, I spoke frankly with Jay about my disgust with what he had said and texted. I made clear to Jay that he must fully take responsibility for his words. What I have also made clear is that as a candidate — and the next Governor of our Commonwealth, I will always condemn violent language in our politics.”
“But it’s unclear whether this attorney general candidate will stay in the race,” Lemire concluded. “I think there’s a growing sense that he probably should not. We heard from President Trump last night, but even some Democrat leaders, John Heilemann, have started to say, look, this is inappropriate, you can’t — and especially at a time right now with such concern about violent rhetoric and political violence — that this is just way beyond the line.”
“Who says that?” Brzezinski interjected.
Heilemann agreed with Lemire’s take, adding, “I would say, not to be too much on the high horse, it’s wildly inappropriate under any circumstances — today, tomorrow, ten years ago, six months ago — I think the pressure is going to be on Spanberger to — and for the whole of the party to ask this candidate to just quit the race because just — both because it’s the right thing and also the political splash back.”
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