Introduction

Former U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney, a central architect of post-9/11 American foreign policy, has died at the age of 84. The news was first confirmed by The Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) in a breaking tweet on November 4, 2025, at 11:57 AM GMT. Cheney’s passing marks the end of a political era that redefined executive power, reshaped global warfare, and continues to polarize generations of Americans.

The Viral WSJ Tweet and Public Reaction

The WSJ tweet announcing Cheney’s death quickly went viral, gaining over 220,000 views within hours. The post, featuring a somber black-and-white portrait reading “Dick Cheney (1941 – 2025)”, summarized his long career under four Republican presidents and his controversial role after 9/11.

Yet it wasn’t the announcement itself that made headlines — it was the reaction.

• Supporters praised Cheney as a defender of U.S. security.
• Critics labeled him a “war criminal”, citing civilian deaths and the Iraq invasion.
• A poignant reply from a 9/11 widow read, “His death doesn’t end what he set in motion… we still deserve the truth.”

Cheney’s Life and Rise to Power

Born January 30, 1941, in Lincoln, Nebraska, Richard Bruce Cheney rose from humble beginnings to become one of the most influential figures in U.S. history. After early setbacks at Yale, he earned a degree from the University of Wyoming and joined Washington politics in the 1960s.

He quickly ascended through Republican ranks — serving as White House Chief of Staff under Gerald Ford at age 34, later representing Wyoming in Congress for ten years, and then as Defense Secretary under George H.W. Bush, where he oversaw the 1991 Gulf War.

But his greatest influence came as Vice President (2001–2009) under George W. Bush. Cheney transformed the position into an engine of power, guiding intelligence, defense, and energy policy from behind closed doors.

The Post-9/11 Era: Power and Controversy

After the September 11 attacks, Cheney became the face of America’s aggressive global response. He pushed for the Iraq invasion in 2003, citing now-disproven claims of weapons of mass destruction, and strongly defended “enhanced interrogation techniques” that many called torture.

Human-rights groups estimate that over 4,400 U.S. troops and more than 200,000 Iraqi civilians died during the conflict. His tenure expanded surveillance powers, deepened partisan divides, and redefined executive secrecy in Washington.

Meanwhile, Cheney’s previous ties to Halliburton, the oil and defense contracting giant he once led, sparked ongoing accusations of war profiteering as the firm received billions in Iraq reconstruction contracts.

Health Battles and Final Years

Cheney’s health troubles were well-known. He survived five heart attacks and received a heart transplant in 2012, living another decade as a symbol of medical endurance.

His wife, Lynne Cheney, a scholar and conservative author, died in 2023 after 58 years of marriage. Cheney is survived by his two daughters, Liz Cheney — former Congresswoman and January 6 committee member — and Mary Cheney, an LGBTQ+ advocate.

Reactions from Leaders and Critics

Reactions to Cheney’s death have poured in from around the globe:

• George W. Bush called him “a man of intellect and resolve whose counsel shaped a safer world.”
• Activists responded sharply: “History won’t absolve torture.”
• Analysts note that Cheney’s death comes amid renewed debates about the Iraq War’s legitimacy, U.S. interventionism, and post-9/11 civil liberties.

Even in death, Cheney remains a symbol — of both decisive leadership and moral ambiguity.

FAQs

Q1. When did Dick Cheney die?
He died on November 3, 2025, reportedly due to complications from pneumonia and long-term heart issues.

Q2. What was Dick Cheney most known for?
His leadership after the 9/11 attacks, his role in launching the Iraq War, and his reputation as the most powerful vice president in U.S. history.

Q3. Why is he controversial?
Because of his support for torture, warrantless surveillance, and policies that caused massive civilian deaths during the Iraq War.

Q4. Who survived him?
Two daughters, Liz and Mary Cheney, and five grandchildren.

Q5. What was his connection to Halliburton?
He served as CEO before becoming Vice President, and Halliburton later received major Iraq War contracts, fueling conflict-of-interest claims.

Conclusion

Dick Cheney’s death closes one of the most consequential — and divisive — chapters in American political history. His career embodied the paradox of power: efficiency at the cost of empathy, and vision clouded by secrecy.

Whether hailed as a patriot or condemned as a war architect, Cheney leaves behind a legacy that forces every generation to confront the uneasy balance between security and morality, freedom and control.

🧠 Neutral Opinion — The Enduring Paradox of Power

In reflecting on Cheney’s life, one cannot escape the tension between principle and pragmatism that defines leadership in turbulent times. He represented an older Washington ethos — one where conviction mattered more than popularity, and results justified the means.

Yet history’s judgment rarely aligns with political intent. Cheney’s America became stronger, but also darker; safer, but less free. The debate over whether his decisions protected democracy or quietly reshaped it may never end — and perhaps that, more than anything, is his true legacy.