Sen. Elissa Slotkin says former President Donald Trump threatened to have her hanged after his attacks on a November 2025 video urging service members to refuse illegal orders. The 90‑second clip, titled "Don't Give Up the Ship," featured several lawmakers with military or intelligence experience and urged troops to honor their constitutional oaths. Trump called the video "seditious" on Truth Social, language Slotkin says sparked bomb threats, swatting incidents and graphic threats against her family, prompting round‑the‑clock Capitol Police protection. Slotkin warns that silencing critics will not protect others and has characterized the video as protected speech reflecting standard military training.
Sen. Elissa Slotkin Says Trump Threatened To Have Her Hanged Over Video, Warns Silence Won't Protect Others
Elissa Slotkin Says Trump 'Threatened To Have Me Hanged' Over A Video Even Though She's A Senator: 'Staying Quiet Will Not Keep You Safe'
Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D‑Mich.) publicly renewed a months‑old confrontation with former President Donald Trump on June 8, 2026, saying his social media attacks over a 90‑second video led to threats against her and her family.
The dispute began with a November 2025 video titled "Don't Give Up the Ship," which Slotkin helped produce with five other lawmakers who have military or intelligence backgrounds. The short clip addressed active‑duty service members directly, urging them to refuse unlawful orders and to uphold their oaths to the Constitution.
"Trump threatened to have me hanged over a 90‑second video I made. I'm a sitting United States Senator and spent decades serving this country, and it didn't matter. Keeping your head down will not keep you safe. Staying quiet will not keep you safe."
— Elissa Slotkin, X (June 8, 2026)
The November video featured Sen. Mark Kelly (D‑Ariz.) and Reps. Jason Crow (D‑Colo.), Chris Deluzio (D‑Pa.), Maggie Hassan Goodlander (D‑N.H.) and Chrissy Houlahan (D‑Pa.), who reminded troops they are obligated to reject illegal orders amid domestic deployments.
Trump responded on Truth Social by calling the video "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!!" and later posting, "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!" He also reshared a follower's comment that read, "HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD !!"
Slotkin says those posts triggered a wave of threats against her: bomb threats, swatting incidents involving her family, and graphic messages calling for her execution for treason. The threats prompted the U.S. Capitol Police to place her under round‑the‑clock protection.
In January, Slotkin said an inquiry was opened into her through the office of U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro; the Department of Justice has not publicly released details of any probe.
Slotkin has defended the video as a restatement of standard military training and protected political speech. Supporters argue the message reiterated legal obligations; critics contend Trump’s posts referenced statutory penalties for sedition or treason rather than issuing a direct call to physical harm.
Slotkin warned that the episode extends beyond her personally, writing that when an administration targets a sitting senator this way it can chill speech across the political spectrum. Separately, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth moved to censure and retroactively demote Sen. Mark Kelly; Kelly has sued, alleging unconstitutional retaliation for protected speech.
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