The Silence is Deafening: Trump and Vance Mute on Cheney’s Passing
The political world is abuzz with tributes following the death of former Vice President Dick Cheney at 84, but two notable figures remain conspicuously silent: former President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance. While former President George W. Bush led the way in honoring his longtime deputy, calling him “among the finest public servants of his generation,” Trump and Vance have yet to publicly acknowledge Cheney’s passing. But here’s where it gets controversial... Cheney, often dubbed the most powerful—and divisive—vice president in U.S. history, was a fierce critic of Trump and his brand of Republican politics. In a 2022 ad, Cheney declared Trump “the greatest threat to our republic” in its 246-year history, accusing him of attempting to steal the 2020 election through lies and violence. And this is the part most people miss... Cheney’s legacy is deeply polarizing, celebrated for his leadership post-9/11 but condemned for his role in the Iraq War and controversial policies like torture and indefinite detention.
Cheney’s death on Monday night from complications of pneumonia and cardiovascular disease has reignited debates about his impact on American politics. The White House lowered its flags to half-mast, yet Trump’s press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, sidestepped the topic during a briefing, stating only that the White House wasn’t involved in funeral planning. Meanwhile, Trump spent the day posting about elections and media ratings, avoiding any mention of Cheney. Is this silence a calculated snub, or simply a reflection of their ideological divide?
Cheney’s career was nothing short of remarkable. Serving as vice president from 2001 to 2009, he was a key architect of the Bush administration’s war on terror, including the 2003 Iraq invasion. His earlier roles—defense secretary under George H.W. Bush, chief of staff to Gerald Ford, and more—cemented his reputation as a political powerhouse. Bush praised Cheney’s integrity, intelligence, and steady leadership during tumultuous times, while Condoleezza Rice hailed him as a mentor and patriot. Even Senate leader Mitch McConnell lauded Cheney’s organizational prowess and commitment to American security.
Yet, Cheney’s critics are unflinching. Kenneth Roth, former head of Human Rights Watch, argued that Cheney’s “lawless approach” to the war on terror, including torture and forced disappearances, set a dangerous precedent of impunity. Does his opposition to Trump absolve him of these controversies, or do they remain an indelible stain on his legacy?
The contrast between the glowing tributes and Trump’s silence underscores the deep rift within the Republican Party. Cheney’s daughter, Liz, a former congresswoman, clashed with Trump during the 2020 campaign, further complicating relations. Vance, meanwhile, represents a different strain of conservatism, rooted in isolationism rather than Cheney’s interventionist worldview. Is this silence a sign of Trump’s dominance over the GOP, or a reflection of Cheney’s enduring polarizing legacy?
As the nation reflects on Cheney’s life, one question lingers: Can we separate his contributions to national security from the moral ambiguities of his policies? Share your thoughts in the comments—this is a conversation that demands to be had.
