On MSNBC's Morning Joe on Monday, host Joe Scarborough—a longtime liberal commentator and former Democratic congressman—strongly condemned the texts during a segment discussing their potential impact on the broader Democratic ticket, particularly Spanberger's gubernatorial bid. Scarborough described the messages as "horrible" and "beyond disqualifying," arguing they reveal a mindset unfit for public office.
Jerrauld "Jay" Jones, a former Democratic Virginia House of Delegates member, is the Democratic nominee for Virginia Attorney General in the 2025 election against incumbent Republican Jason Miyares. The race is part of a high-stakes off-year contest that includes the gubernatorial race between Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin and Democratic challenger Abigail Spanberger.
Virginia's elections are seen as a bellwether for national trends, and this scandal erupted just weeks before the November 4, 2025, vote.
The texts included graphic violent fantasies:
- Jones wrote: "Three people, two bullets. Gilbert, Hitler and Pol Pot. Gilbert gets two bullets to the head." He added: "Spoiler: put Gilbert in the crew with the two worst people you know and he receives both bullets every time."
- In a particularly disturbing exchange, he mused about then-House Speaker Todd Gilbert (R-Shenandoah) suffering: "I want Gilbert to watch his kids die in his wife's arms... That's the only way he'll change his mind on guns."
Jones did not deny the texts' authenticity when contacted but issued an apology on October 4, 2025, stating he takes "full responsibility" for the "regrettable" private messages and emphasizing his public record of service. However, he has refused to withdraw, signaling he will continue the campaign.