Don Jr was frantically trying to reach his dad on Jan 6
(Picture: Getty Images)Donald Trump Jr sent desperate texts to former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, urging the president to intervene to condemn and stop the Capitol riots, the House select committee revealed on Monday.
The details of messages that were sent to Meadows were released by the committee currently investigating what happened on January 6 last year. After turning over the texts to the committee, Meadows has since stopped cooperating with them and caused the panel to support a contempt of Congress charge against him.
Rep. Liz Cheney, vice-chair of the committee, read out the dozens of texts sent to Meadow by the president’s eldest son, as well as other members of Congress, and Fox News journalists asking for the president to do something.
—@Liz_Cheney reads texts sent by Sean Hannity, Laura Ingraham, Brian Kilmeade, and Donald Trump Jr. to Mark Meadows during the insurrection, imploring him to get Trump to do something. pic.twitter.com/mgzFeHiHsy
— Oliver Darcy (@oliverdarcy) December 14, 2021
At the time, Donald Trump was criticised for his slow response in not taking action to intervene in the riot.
“He’s got to condemn this s*** ASAP. The Capitol Police tweet is not enough,” Cheney read, the text the president’s eldest son sent to Meadows while chaos ensued as rioters broke into the Capitol building.
“I’m pushing it hard. I agree,” Meadows replied.
“We need an Oval office address. He [ex-President Trump] has to lead now. It has gone too far and gotten out of hand,” Trump Jr. added.
Members of Congress described how there was “an armed standoff at the House [of Representatives] chamber door.” “POTUS needs to calm this s*** down,” another member wrote, and a third said: “We are all helpless,” as politicians, journalists and staff hid from the angry crowd.
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While three journalists from Fox News who have all been publicly supportive of Trump, messaged Meadow pleading with him to get the president to tell the rioters to go home.
Anchor Laura Ingraham wrote: “Mark, president needs to tell people in the Capitol to go home. This is hurting all of us. He is destroying his legacy.”
Brian Kilmeade also messaged Meadow: “Please get him on TV. Destroying everything you have accomplished,” and Sean Hannity added: “Can he make a statement? Ask people to leave the Capitol.”
Of course, people on Twitter had something to say about these revelations.
Liz Cheney came with receipts. She said Mark Meadows received text messages from Fox News hosts Laura Ingraham, Brian Kilmeade, Sean Hannity and also from Donald Trump Jr. begging him to get the orange lunatic to call off the mob storming the US Capitol. #Jan6Insurrection pic.twitter.com/bJmWhkN5nN
— Island Girl - Listen Up, Get Your Covid-Vaccine (@bluepolitics_) December 14, 2021
Why is Donald Trump Jr. so quiet tonight? pic.twitter.com/dCM4epxpzI
— RazzLi (@razzli_) December 14, 2021
When donald trump jr is the voice of reason in the WH that's when you know the inmates are running the asylum.
— Covie (@covie_93) December 14, 2021
Weird how all of Fox News and Donald Trump Jr. thought the only person who could call Antifa off on January 6th was Donald Trump.
— LOLGOP (@LOLGOP) December 14, 2021
Speechless.
— Guillermo Creamer Jr (@GuillermoforWoo) December 14, 2021
I have never once agreed with Donald Trump Jr., but during that dark moment on Jan. 6th, even he knew.
Donald Trump allowed the insurrection to go on longer than it needed to. He must be held accountable. pic.twitter.com/IbmkCzQxbD
While others couldn’t believe Trump Jr. needed to contact Meadows to get through to his own father...
Donald Trump Jr couldn't even text his own father directly? HAHAHAHAHA what a fucking family
— Adi Cortez (@adicortez) December 14, 2021
As an aside, Donald Trump Jr needing to text the White House chief of staff to get through to his father is... interesting. https://t.co/UdAqUxh1WY
— Jane Coaston (@janecoaston) December 14, 2021
Succession (2021) https://t.co/kQnlsI70kZ
— Steven Lemongello (@SteveLemongello) December 14, 2021
Still digesting the fact that Donald Trump Jr. texted the White House chief of staff to get through to his father
— Adam Weinstein (@AdamWeinstein) December 14, 2021
The fact that Donald Trump Jr. was texting Mark Meadows and asking him to encourage his dad to stop the attack on the Capitol is telling.
— Myron Kelly (@mister_myron) December 14, 2021
When your father despises you so much you have to communicate with him through his staff members…
— Rachel Vindman (@natsechobbyist) December 14, 2021
Cheney concluded: “These texts leave no doubt. The White House knew exactly what was happening at the Capitol.”
The bipartisan committee voted unanimously for a contempt referral for Meadows which will be heard in the full House - if passed there will be referred to the Justice Department.
If Meadows is found guilty at this stage, he could face up to a year in jail along with a significant fine.
