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Former Vice President Dick Cheney passed away on Tuesday, drawing condolences from across the political spectrum. However, President Donald Trump, who has long been critical of Cheney, has remained notably silent on the news. Unlike many Republican and Democratic leaders who publicly expressed their sympathies, Trump has not made any statements or social media posts about Cheney's death. Vice President JD Vance also stayed quiet. The White House's response was subdued, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt only confirming that Trump was "aware" of Cheney’s passing and noting that flags had been lowered to half-staff in accordance with law.
This muted reaction aligns with Trump’s history of disdain for Cheney, which predates his presidential run. In a 2011 video, Trump openly said he didn’t like Cheney then and didn’t like him now. Cheney, a staunch conservative, supported Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign but reversed course in 2024 by endorsing Kamala Harris, crossing party lines. The relationship between the two men deteriorated sharply after the January 6, 2021 Capitol attack. Cheney publicly called Trump a “coward” and a danger to the republic in an ad backing his daughter Liz Cheney’s 2022 reelection bid. Liz Cheney, who served as vice chair of the House select committee investigating the Capitol riot, lost her primary to a Trump-backed challenger.
In endorsing Kamala Harris for the 2024 election, Dick Cheney emphasized putting country above party, a message that reflected his break with Trump and the current Republican establishment. Leavitt declined to say whether Trump plans to attend Cheney’s funeral or has communicated with the Cheney family. While flags at federal buildings were lowered hours after Cheney’s death was announced, there was no official presidential proclamation, which is often customary but discretionary. According to federal guidelines, flags are flown at half-staff from the day of death to interment for former vice presidents.
Historically, Trump has shown selectivity in flag honors during his presidency. On his inauguration day, he signed a proclamation to raise the flag to full-staff after the death of former President Jimmy Carter. However, he has approved half-staff flags on only a few occasions during his second term, including for conservative activist Charlie Kirk, victims of a school shooting, and Pope Francis. Trump briefly addressed his complicated relationship with Cheney at a town hall shortly before the 2024 election, expressing surprise at Cheney endorsing Harris over his daughter and recalling a past conversation after Trump pardoned Cheney’s aide Scooter Libby in 2018.
Overall, the subdued White House response and Trump’s silence highlight the deep fractures in Republican politics and personal animosities rooted in recent history. Cheney’s death marks the end of a significant era for the GOP, and the reaction from Trump and his camp underscores ongoing factional divides. Many observers see these dynamics as emblematic of the broader tensions within the party, especially as it navigates post-Trump identity and future leadership.
