Brace yourself for a political firestorm that even the most progressive cable news hosts couldn’t ignore.

MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” panel unleashed a rare bipartisan smackdown on Democratic Virginia attorney general candidate Jay Jones after shocking texts from 2022 surfaced, allegedly showing him wishing violence on a Republican lawmaker and his family, Breitbart reported.

Let’s rewind to how this mess unfolded. The National Review dropped a bombshell by publishing texts attributed to Jones from 2022, where he reportedly fantasized about shooting then-House Speaker Todd Gilbert, a Republican.

Disturbing Texts Spark Outrage Across Aisle

In those messages, Jones allegedly didn’t hold back, suggesting Gilbert deserved “two bullets” and comparing him to notorious tyrants like Hitler and Pol Pot. If that wasn’t enough to raise eyebrows, he also reportedly wrote that Gilbert’s children—labeled as “evil little fascist”—should suffer to force policy change. Talk about a line no one should cross, regardless of party.

Jones didn’t deny the texts but issued an apology, claiming to take “full responsibility” while stubbornly insisting he’ll stay in the race. That’s a bold move when even your ideological allies are throwing up red flags.

Over on MSNBC, “Morning Joe” co-host Mika Brzezinski could barely stomach reading the messages aloud, admitting, “I didn’t want to read them out loud.” Her hesitation speaks volumes about the raw ugliness of the content.

MSNBC Hosts Demand Jones’ Withdrawal

Joe Scarborough, never one to mince words, didn’t hesitate to throw down the gauntlet, stating, “Yeah, he should probably be forced to withdraw from the race.” When a left-leaning show like this calls for a Democrat’s exit, you know the situation’s gone off the rails.

Co-hosts Jonathan Lemire and John Heilemann piled on, with Lemire calling the messages “deeply disturbing” and Heilemann labeling them “wildly inappropriate under any circumstances.” It’s rare to see such unity on cable news, but this controversy seems to have struck a universal nerve.

Even Democratic leaders, per Lemire’s reporting, have started whispering that Jones’ rhetoric was out of bounds. There’s a growing consensus that he should step aside before this becomes a bigger liability for the party.

Political Fallout Threatens Democratic Strategy

Republicans, predictably, aren’t letting this slide, with the Republican Attorneys General Association posting on X, “You know it’s serious when you’ve lost MSNBC.” That’s a sharp jab, and frankly, it’s hard to argue when even progressive darlings are turning their backs.

GOP operatives have also tried linking this scandal to Congresswoman Spanberger, though she was quick to denounce Jones’ words. Still, the splashback could muddy Democratic messaging if this drags on.

Heilemann didn’t shy away from the political calculus, suggesting party leaders will feel intense pressure to push Jones out to avoid broader damage. It’s not just about principle; it’s about survival in a climate where violent rhetoric is a third rail.

Bipartisan Calls for Accountability Grow

Let’s be clear: wishing harm on anyone, let alone a lawmaker’s family, isn’t just “edgy” or “passionate”—it’s a dangerous precedent. Political disagreements should never devolve into fantasies of violence, no matter how heated the debate.

Jones’ apology might be a start, but his refusal to bow out raises questions about whether he grasps the gravity of his words. When even MSNBC’s crew is sounding the alarm, it’s time for some serious soul-searching.

Virginia’s voters deserve better than a candidate whose past rhetoric overshadows any policy platform. This isn’t about “cancel culture” or over-sensitivity—it’s about basic decency and the kind of leadership we expect in public office. If Jones won’t step aside, the Democratic Party might need to step in before this becomes a stain that won’t wash out.