Former President Donald Trump reflected on his “only” interaction Wednesday morning with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who is the running mate for presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris.
In his first television interview since Harris nominated Walz as her nominee on Tuesday, Trump told the “Fox & Friends” co-hosts that the Minnesota governor told him he was “very concerned” about the situation during the overlap of Black Lives Matter (BLM) riots and COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020. Trump said he “can’t believe” Harris chose Walz.
“I know him a little bit,” Trump said, “and I helped him a lot during the riots, because his house was surrounded by people waving American flags. Not that they sound too bad. And he called me and he was very worried. He was very, very worried that it was going to get out of control.”
Dozens of protesters gathered for a second day outside Governor Walz’s residence in St. Paul on April 17, 2020, demanding the lifting of Minnesota’s COVID-19 stay-at-home order. according to He told CBS News that the protesters, made up of frustrated business owners holding signs and waving American flags, called themselves “Liberate Minnesota.”
As a Minnesotan, I couldn’t be more proud to stand here in the Governor’s Mansion today with these great patriots.
This goes beyond politics, folks.
This is to ensure the protection of our freedom!
It’s time to liberate Minnesota #RestartMN For business! pic.twitter.com/8AhAVCiL6b
— Jason Lewis (@LewisforMN) April 17, 2020
“If you’re going to protest, at least maintain social distancing.” translation: in response to “Liberate Minnesota” protesters who gathered outside the Governor’s Mansion. translator
— Marielle Mohs (@MarielleMohs) April 17, 2020
Chancellor Walz announced several COVID-19 measures. Presidential Decree On April 17, 2020, the emergency order was extended for another month. The Governor relaxed restrictions on outdoor recreation, but people from different households were still required to maintain six feet of distance between each other. Minnesotans who are able to “work from home” were required to continue doing so.
Trump said Walz’s residence only had “one guard” and that the Minnesota governor had called for help, and that anti-lockdown protesters “left” after he “tipped off” Walz. (Related: CNN’s Van Jones suggests Kamala Harris succumbed to the “dark side” of the Democratic Party in choosing her VP nominee)
“There was only one security guard there. I think they were at the mansion or his home in some way. He called me and I said, ‘What can I do?’ I was at the White House. He said, ‘Just promote me as a good man,’ and I did. I said, ‘He’s a good man. I hope everything goes well.’ And they all took down their flags and they left with their flags. But they left with American flags and MAGA flags. There were several thousand people there,” Trump told Fox News on Wednesday.
“And that’s when I said, ‘Wow, that’s so interesting.’ And he called me and was so grateful. That’s the only interaction he and I had,” Trump continued. “He’s a very, very liberal guy, and an incredible choice. I’m so excited. I couldn’t be more excited.”
In April 2020, similar anti-lockdown protests took place in states including Ohio, New York, North Carolina, Kentucky and Michigan. according to According to NBC News, on April 17, 2020, the same day that protesters occupied Waltz’s mansion, President Trump posted three tweets: “LIBERATE VIRGINIA,” “LIBERATE MICHIGAN,” and “LIBERATE MINNESOTA.”
Liberate Minnesota!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 17, 2020
Liberate Michigan!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 17, 2020
Liberate Virginia and protect our great Second Amendment. It is under siege!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 17, 2020
At the time, Democratic Governor of Washington, Jay Inslee Accused Twitter accused Trump of “inciting domestic insurrection” and “putting millions at risk of contracting COVID-19.” A Twitter spokesperson countered that Trump’s comments were too vague and did not violate the site’s coronavirus policy, NBC News reported at the time.
The president is inciting domestic insurrection and spreading lies. His own administration insists the virus is real, it’s deadly, and that we have a long way to go before restrictions are lifted.
— Governor Jay Inslee (@GovInslee) April 17, 2020
April 20, 2020, Trump Tweeted He said he received a “very courteous call” from Governor Walz and that his administration is working “expeditiously” to meet the Minnesota governor’s request.
I got a very nice phone call. translation: He’s originally from Minnesota. We are working closely together to make sure he gets everything he needs, and fast. Good things are happening!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 20, 2020
of Star Tribune Governor Walz was quoted as saying that Trump “expressed a strong desire to work with us” following a 10-minute phone call on April 18, 2020. The Minnesota governor made it clear that he wasn’t interested in “determining why we don’t have these now,” emphasizing that he was interested in “how we get them.”
