Overview

• Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin escalated pressure in a Fox & Friends interview, calling the messages “beyond disqualifying” and urging Democrats to remove Jones from the ticket.
• President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance urged Jones to drop out, and incumbent Attorney General Jason Miyares labeled the conduct disqualifying, yet Jones says he will remain a candidate.
• MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough said Jones should probably be forced to withdraw, signaling growing calls across the media for him to exit the race.
• The texts were first published by National Review and copies were reviewed by the Washington Post; Newsweek says it has not independently verified them, Jones has not disputed them, and he says he apologized to Todd Gilbert and his family.
• Early voting is underway for the Nov. 4 elections, a recent Washington Post–Schar School poll had Jones leading 51–45, and Republicans are linking gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger to the controversy through new ads.