Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Kamala Harris’ current running mate, has faced strong backlash on social media after portraying himself as a victim amid accusations that his “good name was stolen.”
In a speech at the AFSCME convention this week, Walz attacked many of the allegations against him but did not address them specifically. Instead, he spoke about his 24 years of service in the National Guard (which no one disputes) and his work in Congress to support veterans. Without mentioning Trump’s running mate, J.D. Vance, by name, Walz said: “I am incredibly proud of my service to this country, and I firmly believe that the military history of others should not be disparaged. To those who have the courage to serve in uniform for this great country, let me just say this: Thank you for your service and sacrifice.”
Waltz: I firmly believe that one should not belittle someone’s military record. To anyone who has the courage to serve in uniform for our great country, including my opponent, let me just say this: Thank you for your service and sacrifice. pic.twitter.com/PcskL7zgiL
— Acyn (@Acyn) August 13, 2024
The speech drew a lot of backlash on social media, especially from those in the U.S. military, because it was vague about its accusations against Walz. Retired Colonel Rob Maness wrote on X: “Let me say it again: No one is disparaging his actual military record. They are disparaging the lies about his military record. Walz is disgracing himself by glamorizing his military record for political gain.”
“Pointing out that someone repeatedly lied about having served in combat does not tarnish someone’s military record,” said Dale Stark, a retired U.S. Air Force pilot.
Let me say it again: no one is disparaging his actual military record, but the lies he tells about it. Waltz is disparaging himself by glamorizing his military record for political gain. https://t.co/pRBEdkVuRj
— Retired Colonel Rob Maness 🇺🇸 (@RobManess) August 13, 2024
Pointing out that someone has repeatedly lied about serving in combat does not “denigrate someone’s military record.” https://t.co/MvxHyxbXLI
— Dale Stark (@DaleStarkA10) August 13, 2024
He’s doubling down, let’s go. https://t.co/p4BUXjXPyp
— Joshua Steinman (🇺🇸,🇺🇸) (@JoshuaSteinman) August 13, 2024
Embarrassing translation: Representing the state of Minnesota.
Walz now appears to be claiming he is the victim of accusations that he repeatedly lied about various aspects of his military service over decades. https://t.co/a3Xyt9dr74
— RoadMN 📈 (@RoadMN) August 13, 2024
No one can take away your veteran status, you earned it. Tim Waltz.
But if you think lying about going to war and fighting is completely stupid, then you’re nuts. That’s a special kind of bullshit, and it’s totally repulsive. #TrumpForVeterans https://t.co/KckaYLr4ld
— 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 (@whoa_rob) August 13, 2024
Waltz disparaged his own military record after he resigned by lying about his rank and what he did while in the service. https://t.co/O3QkBpqUgE
— Alexandria Brown (@alexthechick) August 13, 2024
If this man had admitted his mistake, confessed his guilt and apologized, this whole matter would have been resolved.
It’s a good educational opportunity for kids, regardless of what side they’re on. https://t.co/NTyaWICWz3
— Matt Birk (@BirkMatt) August 13, 2024
Hey, this isn’t going to work. You lied, got caught, and now you’re adding fuel to the fire. Well done 👍 https://t.co/143Z9Nu3X4
— kc2fargo (@kc2fargo) August 13, 2024
No one is disparaging his actual military record, but the lies he told about it. There’s a difference: never lie about your military record. #TrumpForVeterans https://t.co/QD1BfKENqu
— Constitutionalist🇺🇸 (@WeWillBeFree24) August 13, 2024
Tim Waltz is now playing the victim: “They’re even attacking my military record.” pic.twitter.com/v0TD9Xym7N
— The Blaze (@theblaze) August 13, 2024
Waltz is now the victim. “These people are attacking me now.”
He is the one who stole courage! pic.twitter.com/eGjRlP3RwG— Matt Batzel (@MattBatzel) August 13, 2024
Tim Walz wants us to profusely thank him for his service, rather than pointing out how he falsified his military record.
“Kick Rocks,” says this Marine Corps veteran.#StolenCourage https://t.co/2KCoGx5tI3
— Sergeant Jessie Jane Duff (@JessieJaneDuff) August 13, 2024
Others defended Walz, believing his response addressed the problem.
There has been no good response to this from Republicans.
That was a terrible strategy. This is the best response to it. Conservatives are dead. https://t.co/3e5sRePmh8— 📺CornPop🍿 (@cornpopspopcorn) August 13, 2024
Ah, Waltz knows exactly when to go high and when to go low. https://t.co/U1N0q5A895
— GSB 🌴 (@Gsb_Esq) August 13, 2024
He is a true leader. Let’s get him to the White House!#HarrisWaltz2024 https://t.co/EhRiKNdUxN
— Just Ray (@raeraeco) August 13, 2024
Since Kamala Harris selected Waltz as her running mate, the Minnesota Democrat has come under scrutiny for alleged “defamation,” after he “listed a higher rank on his official resume than he held at the time of retirement, drawing criticism from some veterans,” Breitbart News reported.
Following reports raising questions about the use of ranks, the Kamala Harris campaign posted on its official website: biography Regarding Waltz, the statement removed the description that he was a “retired master sergeant,” stating only that he once served at the rank of master sergeant.
According to CNN, Walz has faced criticism over portrayals of his military service since his 2006 run for Congress, which he denied at the time.
The viral video, first shared by X’s Kamala HQ account on Wednesday, features Waltz recommending gun control and then saying he carries weapons in war.
I was in the Army for 25 years and I hunt. I have voted for common sense legislation that protects the Second Amendment, but we can do background checks. We can do CDC research. Weapons of war. What I Carried with Me to War This is the only place these weapons exist. [Emphasis added]
The Harris-Waltz campaign later claimed Waltz had made a mistake, but Waltz himself reposted the video just days before he was named Kamala Harris’ running mate.
That’s true. I’m a military veteran, a hunter, and a gun owner, but I’m also a father, and for many years I was a teacher.
I know basic gun safety doesn’t threaten my rights, what matters is keeping my kids safe.
I had an A rating from the NRA. Now I’m all F’s. But I sleep well. https://t.co/R3ZX4A35GB
— Tim Walz (@Tim_Walz) July 27, 2024
In a subsequent report, Washington Free Beacon They also claimed that Waltz had previously described himself as a veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom. According to Breitbart News:
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D), who is facing defamation charges, allegedly falsely claimed in a previous press release that he was an Afghanistan veteran.
In a 2006 press release: issued On the campaign trail, Walz was described as a “veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom.”
The Afghanistan War began on October 7, 2001. It is called The mission, called Operation Enduring Freedom, was launched after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, according to the Naval History and Heritage Command website.
“Democrat Tim Walz will tour Minnesota’s 1st Congressional District on Sunday, February 19th and Monday, February 20th to formally announce his candidacy for the U.S. House of Representatives,” the press release states. “A veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom and a longtime Mankato educator, Walz is unbeatable among the Democratic base and will be challenging Rep. Gil Gutknecht in November 2006.”
Photos from that time show Waltz taking part in a protest against President George W. Bush, holding a sign that read, “For Veterans of Enduring Freedom.” [John] “Kelly.”
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