By A Democratic candidate for Ohio attorney general is facing mounting backlash after posting on social media that he intends to “kill Donald Trump” through legal means if elected, prompting condemnation from Republicans and Democrats alike and intensifying scrutiny in an already polarized statewide race.
Elliot Forhan, a former state representative running as a Democrat, made the remarks in a Facebook post on Monday, where he sought to explain his language in explicit terms. “I want to tell you what I mean when I say that I am going to kill Donald Trump,” Forhan wrote. “I mean I’m going to obtain a conviction rendered by a jury of his peers at a standard of proof beyond a reasonable doubt based on evidence presented at a trial conducted in accordance with the requirements of due process resulting in a sentence duly executed of capital punishment.” He added, “That is what I mean when I say I am going to kill Donald Trump.”
NEW: Democrat Ohio Attorney General candidate Elliot Forhan says he is going to “kill Donald Trump” if he’s elected.
“I want to tell you what I mean when I say that I am going to kill Donald Trump,” the former Ohio state representative said.
“I mean I'm going to… pic.twitter.com/NNgWggltHA
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) January 27, 2026
The phrasing sparked immediate outrage across social media, particularly among conservative commentators, who described the language as reckless and dangerous. Conservative commentator Dave Rubin called Forhan an “absolute psychopath” and labeled him a “moderate Democrat,” noted Fox News. The Libs of TikTok account referred to Forhan as an “evil deranged psycho,” while conservative activist Robby Starbuck suggested the candidate needed psychiatric care, likening the rhetoric to addiction among Trump opponents.
Ohio Republicans also responded forcefully. Republican state treasurer candidate Jay Edwards called the statement “unhinged” and urged prominent Democrats, including Dr. Amy Acton and Sen. Sherrod Brown, to publicly disavow it. Ohio attorney Mehek Cooke said the comments were “normalizing political murder.” State Auditor Keith Faber, who is seeking the Republican nomination for attorney general, described the post as “vile” and called on Acton to renounce it, while also pointing to Forhan’s earlier reaction to the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
https://x.com/JayEdwardsOhio/status/2016331033524728295?s=20
Kirk was fatally shot on September 10, 2025, while speaking at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. Shortly after the killing, Forhan posted “F— Charlie Kirk,” a comment that drew backlash at the time for what critics characterized as callousness in the wake of political violence.
Democratic leaders in Ohio moved to distance themselves from Forhan’s remarks. In a statement to Fox News Digital, Sen. Sherrod Brown said, “These comments are abhorrent. I condemn them. Political violence has no place in our democracy. Ever.” Former Ohio health director and Democratic figure Dr. Amy Acton similarly rejected the rhetoric, stating, “I strongly condemn this rhetoric. Ohioans have had enough of the chaos, hate, and vitriol. Whether it’s threats of political violence or actual political violence, they have no place in our politics.”
Forhan did not retract his statement when contacted by Fox News Digital. Instead, he defended his comments as a reflection of his campaign pledge to “apply the law equally to everyone,” including the president. “If Donald Trump tries again to end American democracy, then as Ohio attorney general I will hold him accountable to the fullest extent of the law,” Forhan said.
The Forhan episode is occurring against a backdrop of escalating threats against prominent conservative figures that have drawn national attention. In Northern Virginia, legal efforts to investigate alleged doxxing and threats against White House advisor Stephen Miller—including flyers posted with his home address and imagery suggesting hostility toward him—have been stalled by local judges and prosecutors, a situation that critics in Washington have framed as a liberal tolerance for intimidation of Republican staffers. Allegations that the Miller family felt unsafe enough to leave their Arlington neighborhood after the incident have underscored how political disputes have spilled into personal safety concerns for aides of the president.
When the FBI asked for a warrant in order to scrutinize the phone of the person making the threats, a liberal judge appointed by Joe Biden denied the request. The Millers then sought assistance from the Virginia State Police, whose application was approved by Arlington Circuit Court Judge Judith Wheat on October 1 of last year. Officers executed the warrant that same day and the Millers moved to a secure location.
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