A video of former Vice President Dick Cheney claiming no individual has ever been "a greater threat to our republic than Donald Trump" has gone viral on social media.
The video was posted twice on the Twitter page of Representative Liz Cheney, his daughter, who is locked in a Republican primary battle with a pro-Trump rival.
In the clip, Dick Cheney brands Trump a "coward" and backs the re-election of his "fearless" daughter.
“In our nation’s 246 year history there has never been an individual who is a greater threat to our Republic than Donald Trump.” Dick Cheney pic.twitter.com/erBPBNy8ah
— Liz Cheney (@Liz_Cheney) August 4, 2022
He said: "In our nation's 246-year history there has never been an individual who was a greater threat to our republic than Donald Trump.
"He tried to steal the last election using lies and violence to keep himself in power, after the voters had rejected him. He's a coward, a real man wouldn't lie to his supporters. He lost his election, and he lost big. I know it, he knows it and deep down I think most Republicans know it.
"Lynne and I are so proud of Liz for standing up for the truth, doing what's right, honoring her oath to the Constitution when so many in our party are too scared to do so. Liz is fearless, she never backs down from a fight. There is nothing more important she will ever do than lead the effort to make sure Donald Trump is never again near the Oval Office and she will succeed. I am Dick Cheney, I proudly voted for my daughter and I hope you will too."
Liz Cheney first tweeted out the video alongside an American flag emoji, getting 1.3 million views. She then reposted it in another tweet, along with a quote from her father attacking Trump.
This second tweet with the video was watched more than 5 million times. Some 75,500 Twitter users have liked the clip, whilst 22,400 shared it by either retweeting or quote-tweeting it.
Trump has been contacted for comment.
Dick Cheney served as vice president under George W. Bush between 2001 to 2009. During this time, he played a pivotal role in the U.S. response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, D.C.
Wyoming Representative Liz Cheney is vice-chair of the House January 6th Committee, which is investigating the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol and what role Trump played in inciting the violence.
She is facing a primary challenge from Trump-backed attorney Harriet Hageman, with voters due to cast their ballots on August 16.
Liz Cheney was one of ten Republican House members who voted to impeach Trump following the January 6 storming of the Capitol.
After the vote she lost her GOP leadership position and was censured by the Republican National Committee.
Trump continues to insist the November 2020 election was "stolen" from him, though this has been roundly rejected by independent experts.
In June, Liz Cheney described Trump as "a domestic threat that we have never faced before," during an appearance at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California.
She accused the ex-president of "attempting to unravel the foundations of our constitutional republic," adding he is being assisted by "Republican leaders and elected officials who have made themselves willing hostages to this dangerous and irrational man."
Trump has hit back at the Wyoming representative via Truth Social, his social media platform, describing her as a "warmongering and despicable human being" in July.
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James Bickerton is a Newsweek U.S. News reporter based in London, U.K. His focus is covering U.S. politics and world ... Read more
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