Tim Walz continued his self-implosion on Wednesday as reporters pressed him on two of his worst moments during his debate against JD Vance.
As RedState reported, Walz struggled throughout the night against Vance, who was far more poised and articulate, never mind having the issues on his side. There was one specific instance where the Minnesota governor was pushed on a falsehood he told about being in Hong Kong for the Tiananmen Square protests. Walz proceeded to melt down on stage, with an especially awkward moment toward the end of the exchange. Here’s the video for those that didn’t see it.
WATCH: JD Vance Cooks Tim Walz, Then Kamala’s Running Mate Completely Implodes
CBS: You lied about being in China during Tiananmen Square. What do you say?
Tim Walz: “I used to ride my bike with friends growing up.”
This is completely painful to watch.pic.twitter.com/pDUXkwmJgO
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) October 2, 2024
You’d think Walz would have come up with a good answer for that question before a nationally televised debate given the story had already been out there for several days. Instead, he was a deer-in-headlights, fumbling over his words and unable to articulate any explanation. It’s clear that he never expected to be asked about the matter because he’s a Democrat. That’s the one place I can give some credit to the moderators during an otherwise embarrassing night for them.
Alright, so he bombed the debate. Perhaps Walz’s handlers would offer up something better going forward? Apparently, not, though. When pressed on the issue, he again had no good answer:
Tim Walz on his claim about being in Hong Kong during the Tiananmen Square massacre: “I have my dates wrong.” pic.twitter.com/AV3fFbiTG6
— Washington Free Beacon (@FreeBeacon) October 2, 2024
WALZ: Yeah, look, I had my dates wrong. I was in Hong Kong, in China, in 1989.
(Long Pause)
That move from Hong Kong into China, it was profound for me. It was the summer of democracy. I said it’s where I understood how sacred democracy was. It’s what encouraged me about 15 back and forths with my students, taking them to China to understand, both, first of all, the culture, but also to teach Chinese schools about democracy. That was part of it. One of the first groups of high school students. There weren’t a lot of times that there were high school teachers in there that you could teach in a Chinese high school. And so, you’ve seen me, these teachers see me. I speak like everybody else speaks. I need to be clearer, I will tell you that, but here’s my point on China
(Proceeds to repeat canned attack on Donald Trump made at the debate)
To be clear, this was not about mixing up dates. If I tell you I was at the World Trade Center on 9/11 but it turns out I was just in New York three months later, that would be an inexcusable lie. The event is the point in a situation like this, not the date. A person doesn’t accidentally say they were in Hong Kong for the Tiananmen Square protests when they weren’t. Walz has long lied about his background for personal gain, and this is just another example of that.
Past that, this idea that he was taking trips to China to teach students about democracy is absurd. That would be the last place one would take students if they wanted to learn about the topic. Whatever affinity Walz had for China, learning about democracy had nothing to do with it.
This is what Walz does. He lies about things and then tries to pretend to be a lovable goofball who just made an honest mistake. He does not “talk like everybody else.” He talks like a pathological liar because he is one. The surest sign of it is how nervous he gets. Listen to how fast he’s speaking and how much he stumbles over his talking points. He knows he’s not telling the truth.
Moving on, Walz was then asked about the head-scratching moment during the debate where he bragged about being “friends” with school shooters. He proceeded to vomit out this incoherent word salad.
REPORTER: Can you clarify why you said you’ve befriended school shooters?
WALZ: “I’m super passionate about this!”
(No clarification was offered) pic.twitter.com/P0f0Dz4w6G
— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) October 2, 2024
WALZ: Yeah, and look, you got to see me, these folks know me. I’m super passionate about this. The question come up about school shootings, we’re talking about everything but school shootings, and I sat as a member of Congress with the Sandy Hook parents, and it was a profound movement. David Hogg is a good friend of mine. You have seen me do this. I was talking being people where there are school shooters, and I need to be more specific on that, but I am passionate about this. This one, for my wife and I, as teachers, as parents, is so personal.
That was painful to transcribe. I have no idea what he just said there. I guess he’s saying that he meant he befriended the victims of school shooters, but he doesn’t say that. The rest of his words are garbled in ways that leave so much open to interpretation. And then to bring up being friends with David Hogg? Hoo boy.
But again, notice that he flails about on his faux folksy persona with the “you have seen me do this” stuff. No, we haven’t. Most people don’t know who Tim Walz is, and what he says matters. His perpetual lying is an issue, and it speaks to his broader character and qualifications to hold the office he’s seeking. It’s not about being “more specific.” It’s about telling the truth, something the governor continues to not do.
With all that said, the best part about these exchanges was John Fetterman in the background. Multiple times, he walked up behind Walz as if to say, “Dude, just get on the bus.”
Fetterman looks like he’s been sent to break Walz’s thumbs for losing the debate so bad. pic.twitter.com/4hCcV4sdYT
— e-beth (@ebeth360) October 2, 2024
Walz will soon be replaced by Fetterman. The shark smells blood. He is circling. pic.twitter.com/8Sv6DAWrZc
— Sir Topham Hatt (5’7” 450lbs) (@Sir_T_Hatt) October 2, 2024
John Fetterman being relatable again https://t.co/FEgw9Bf71o pic.twitter.com/EH5zG8rolK
— Bonchie (@bonchieredstate) October 2, 2024
Walz has thoroughly embarrassed himself. If you want to know why he hasn’t been very active on the campaign trail, including doing interviews, this is why. He’s a political lightweight who has no business on the national stage. Funny enough, that applies to Kamala Harris as well.
