President Donald Trump's ally is facing heavy criticism after declaring that Arizona Democratic Senator Mark Kelly should be charged with "treason" and "executed" for his dealings with a Chinese company that makes surveillance balloons.
Stone's remarks followed Kelly's comments on Trump's crypto coin scheme outlined in a now-rejected bill that aimed to establish a regulatory framework for stablecoins, a type of digital asset designed to maintain a fixed $1 value, making it better suited for everyday transactions. Democrats said the legislation did not contain adequate standards to safeguard against corruption.
Earlier this month, the State Democracy Defenders Fund highlighted reports indicating that the president’s crypto holdings—particularly from his $TRUMP meme coin—could make up nearly 40% of his total wealth. He’s even offered investors in the coin an exclusive invitation to a private dinner at his golf club in Virginia.
Writing on X to advocate for the “End Crypto Corruption Act,” Kelly wrote:
"Trump is cashing in on his presidency and making millions from his own crypto coins. It’s corruption in broad daylight."
"I’m co-sponsoring a bill to make it illegal for the President, the Vice President, administration officials, and members of Congress to issue, sponsor, or endorse crypto assets for profit. It’s time to put a stop to this."
You can see his post below.
In response, Stone said:
"Senator Mark Kelly is cashing in on his US Senate seat as a partner in a Chinese communist company that makes surveillance balloons. He should be charged with treason and if convicted executed , consistent with federal law."
You can see his post below.
Kelly later responded with the following message:
"Roger Stone called for me to be charged with treason and executed because I introduced a bill to take on Trump’s corruption. Last I checked, that’s my job."
"Words matter and political violence is personal to my family. This Admin wants to intimidate us, but we can't let them."
You can see his post below.
Stone was swiftly criticized.
Threats of imprisonment and executions are nothing new from the far-right.
Trump has intensified his rhetoric about prosecuting political rivals, sharing posts on his social media platform that call for "televised military tribunals" and the imprisonment of prominent figures including Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, Mike Pence, Mitch McConnell, and Chuck Schumer.
He's repeatedly demanded jail time for members of the Jan. 6 committee and has ramped up rhetoric against Americans he brands “the enemy from within.”
In 2023, Trump suggested that General Mark Milley, then chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, had committed a “treasonous act” by communicating with a Chinese general near the end of Trump’s term—claiming the act was so severe that “in times gone by, the punishment would have been DEATH!”
@WhiteHouse/X
