George W Bush pays tribute to ‘honorable’ Dick Cheney after dying aged 84: Latest updates
Former U.S. vice president Dick Cheney, architect of George W Bush’s “War on Terror,” has died at the age of 84.
Cheney served at Bush’s side for two terms between 2001 and 2009 and is known for expanding the powers of his role far beyond anything experienced by his 45 predecessors and for leading the U.S. into Iraq on what proved to be faulty intelligence concerning dictator Saddam Hussein’s nuclear capabilities in the aftermath of 9/11.
Cheney’s family called him a “noble giant of a man” and revealed he died due to “complications of pneumonia and cardiac and vascular disease.”
Bush also called Cheney’s death “a loss to the nation” in a statement on Tuesday morning.
“Laura and I will remember Dick Cheney for the decent, honorable man that he was,” the former president said.
After leaving office, Cheney found himself cut adrift from the Republican Party over his rejection of President Donald Trump, whom he called a “coward” and the “greatest ever threat to our Republic.” Cheney also voted for Kamala Harris in last year’s election, according to his daughter, former Congresswoman Liz Cheney.
Trump, who called Cheney an “irrelevant RINO” following his Harris endorsement, has yet to issue a statement on Cheney’s death.
Christian Bale once played Dick Cheney: ‘Thank you to Satan for giving me inspiration’
Christian Bale once portrayed Dick Cheney in the 2018 biopic Vice.
Bale said he shaved his head, bleached his eyebrows and gained 40lbs for the role. The actor went on to win a Golden Globe — and thanked “Satan” for inspiring his performance.
“Thank you to Satan for giving me inspiration on how to play this role,” Bale said in his 2019 award acceptance speech.
Watch: Dick Cheney spoke out against Donald Trump
Former Vice President Dick Cheney was an outspoken critic of President Donald Trump.
Cheney has called Trump a “coward” and the “greatest ever threat to our Republic.” He also voted for former Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election.
Watch Cheney’s scathing warning about the president below:
Dick Cheney labeled ‘Darth Vader’ by critics
While serving as vice president, comedians would often refer to Dick Cheney as Darth Vader, the infamous Star Wars villain, according to Reuters.
But Cheney took it in stride, and once said he was honored to be compared to the character. He even dressed as the Sith Lord during a Tonight Show appearance to promote his book in 2011, Reuters reports.
Senate Majority Leader honors Cheney in floor speech
Senate Majority Leader John Thune paid tribute to former Vice President Dick Cheney in a brief speech on the chamber floor.
“Dick was a lifelong public servant who believed very deeply in our country and brought his considerable knowledge and intelligence to his service,” Thune said Tuesday.
“As secretary of defense, and later as vice president, he played a key role in shaping policy on many of the most consequential issues of his day,” he continued. “He was also an avid outdoorsman and fly fisherman who loved spending time in the mountains of his home state.”
Cheney is survived by his wife, two daughters and seven grandchildren.
Speaker Mike Johnson on Cheney: ‘Honor is clearly due to him’
House Speaker Mike Johnson honored former Vice President Dick Cheney ahead of a Tuesday morning press conference.
“Scripture is very clear, we give honor where honor is due,” Johnson said, before listing Cheney’s accomplishments.
“The honor is certainly due to him, and our prayers go out to the family,” Johnson added.
Senator Joni Ernst says Cheney ‘served his country honorably and dutifully’
Senator Joni Ernst, an Iowa Republican, shared a statement honoring Vice President Dick Cheney on Tuesday morning.
“Whether Vice President, Secretary of Defense, or in Congress, Dick Cheney was always proud to be an American,” she said. “His commitment to defeat terrorism ensured there was never another 9/11. He served his country honorably and dutifully. May he rest in peace.”
George W. Bush’s secretary of state remembers Cheney
Former President George W. Bush’s secretary of state, Condoleezza Rice, honored Dick Cheney in a post on X.
Rice called him “an inspiring presence and mentor who taught me a great deal about public service.”
“Most of all, I will remember Dick Cheney as a mentor and a friend,” she wrote. “I will remember his toughness but also his sense of humor. He was indefatigable in his determination to defend this country and patriotic to his core.”
White House flags lowered
The White House lowered flags to half-staff this morning following the death of former Vice President Dick Cheney.
The White House has yet to issue a statement on Cheney’s death.
In pictures: Dick Cheney’s bust in the U.S. Capitol
Trump goes on Truth Social posting spree — but no mention of Cheney yet
President Donald Trump is on a Truth Social posting spree this morning, but he has yet to acknowledge the death of former Vice President Dick Cheney.
Since 8 a.m., Trump has shared at least five posts on his social media platform, two of which included calls to end the filibuster in the Senate.
Source: independent.co.uk
