Ohio state senator issues groveling apology for saying it will take ‘civil war’ to save US if Republicans lose election

An Ohio state senator has issued a groveling apology after he said it would take “a civil war” to save the country if Republicans lose to Democrats in the 2024 presidential election.

At a rally in Middletown, Ohio, on Monday, Republican state Senator George Lang took to the stage before Ohio Senator JD Vance, Donald Trump’s newly-named running mate.

Lang’s remarks began with chants of “Fight! Fight! Fight!” – echoing Trump’s chant in the immediate aftermath of an assassination attempt – before he dived into his speech in support of Vance and the former president.

“We are in the fight for the soul of our nation,” Lang said. “We are in a fight for our kids and our grandkids, a fight we could never imagine.

“I believe wholeheartedly Donald Trump and Butler County’s JD Vance are the last chance to save our country politically. I’m afraid if we lose this one, it’s going to take a civil war to save the country, and it will be saved.”

He continued: “It’s the greatest experiment in the history of mankind, and if we come down to a civil war, I’m glad we got people like … Bikers for Trump on our side.”

Backlash quickly erupted on social media, with Tom Cooke, who is challenging Lang in the state senate,calling his comments “dangerous” and saying he “won’t stand for this type of rhetoric.”

Republicans Against Trumpposted on X that Lang’s comments were “incredibly dangerous rhetoric.”

Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign also gave a statement to the Cincinnati Enquirer calling for Trump and Vance to “apologize” over the speaker’s comments at their campaign rally.

“Donald Trump and JD Vance are running a campaign openly sowing hatred and promising revenge against their political opponents,” the statement said.

“It’s a feature, not