The death of former Vice President Dick Cheney on Monday prompted a variety of reactions on Tuesday.
Cheney, 84, died “due to complications of pneumonia and cardiac and vascular disease,” according to his family. In his life, he suffered five heart attacks before receiving a heart transplant in 2012.
Some friends and acquaintances took to social media to share their photos and personal experiences with the former vice president.
“Dick Cheney was a true patriot — one of the most controversial and consequential political figures of our time,” ABC News anchor Jonathan Karl wrote, along with a photo of himself and Cheney.
Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice noted that she served with Cheney twice, first when she was on the National Security Council and Cheney was defense secretary under President George H.W. Bush, and then again when Cheney was vice president.
“I admired Vice President Cheney for his integrity and his love of our country,” Rice wrote as a caption for a photo of the two of them together.
“As Vice President, he helped to chart a course to protect America after the dark days of 9/11,” Rice continued. “He was 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. 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.”
“I am grateful for having had him in my life,” she concluded. “May he rest in peace.”
“Spent 8 years working on the Bush-Cheney team and wouldn’t have had it any other way,” bioengineer Rory Cooper wrote. “Dick Cheney served his country faithfully and with honor. RIP sir.”
Others expressed their admiration for Cheney despite not knowing him personally.
“Dick Cheney’s years of public service and dedication to American leadership left a lasting impact on the conservative project, the US and the world,” former Trump Secretary of State Mike Pompeo wrote. “He was a successful energy field services CEO who, when called, sacrificed again to serve our country. Susan and I extend our condolences and prayers to his family and friends at this time.”
“Dick Cheney was a genuine conservative, a patriotic Republican, and a man who made hard calls in tough times, even when it meant being excommunicated from the GOP,” the Lincoln Project wrote. “Our thoughts are with his family.”
The Lincoln Project was referring to Cheney’s vehement opposition to Trump. He endorsed Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris in 2024.
“RIP Vice President Dick Cheney,” talk show host Hugh Hewitt wrote. “He was a great man and a servant of the Republic.”
Then, a third group emerged, Cheney’s critics, who continued to condemn his actions in life following his death.
“Dick Cheney will meet his maker and will have lots of explaining to do,” former Rep. George Santos wrote. “I wish his family well all things considered, but I haven’t and won’t ever shed a tear for a war criminal of his ilk.”
Cheney is largely credited with the strategy behind the Iraq War.
“Dick Cheney, one of the most evil men in modern history, died yesterday at 84,” talk show host Alex Jones said in a video post. “Whereas I don’t really like to ever celebrate anybody’s death, this is just another bellwether sign of the old, evil, neocon, global establishment, dying and passing away.”
FORMER VICE PRESIDENT DICK CHENEY DEAD AT 84
“So we’re talking about an evil, evil, evil person,” Jones added. “I’m not going to judge him. From God’s position, I don’t know he’s burning in hell, but he’s burning in hell in my opinion.”
Cheney is survived by his wife, Lynne, and his daughters, Liz and Mary.