Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, a Democratic presidential candidate, walked out on Sunday when a reporter asked him for his “reaction” to the news that the bodies of six Israeli hostages, including one American, had been found in a Hamas tunnel beneath the Gaza Strip.
While at the Minnesota State Fair, Waltz asked She spoke about “how much” has changed since “the last State Fair” and how Walz is “juggling” his role as governor with running for vice president.
Vanilla milkshake in hand, Waltz turned and walked away when a reporter asked him for his “reaction” to the news that the bodies of six hostages held by Hamas had been found.
“Thank you, everyone!” he said, to cheers from his supporters. He ignored the questions.
Tim Waltz was asked three questions at the state fair, but the first two were superficial.
What if they asked about the six hostages who died in Gaza?
*walks away*pic.twitter.com/26zjsTw01j
— Dustin Grage (@GrageDustin) September 1, 2024
Here's a brief exchange with reporters:
“How much has changed since the last state fair?” a reporter asked.
“The question is, how much has changed since the last state fair,” Walz said. “Usually it's 12 days, but this time it's not. It's a little more disruptive and I'm a little more concerned. Obviously it's disruptive to other people. But I'm excited. I think people are realizing that the rest of the country is able to talk about Minnesota, about our economy, about things like the state fair, about agriculture.”
“How do you balance running the state of Minnesota with campaigning? [vice] “Is that the president?” another reporter asked Waltz.
“I have a great team that manages my schedule,” Waltz responded. “As you can see, we appointed three great judges in Ramsey County last week. Every night I review all the decision notes and meet with my commissioners. I'm up to date all day, in and out. Most of my time is on the road and coming home.”
“What is your reaction to the six hostages found dead in Gaza?” another reporter asked Waltz.
“Well, thank you everyone,” Waltz said, turning and starting to walk away.
Waltz did not answer the question after the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) identified the six hostages killed as Carmel Gatto, Eden Yerushalmi, and Americans Hersh Goldberg Pollin, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarsi and Ori Danino.
Y Net News Reported Autopsies on the bodies of the six hostages found that they had suffered “gunshot wounds to the head and other parts of the body.”
Autopsies revealed that the bodies of all six hostages found and taken into custody in Gaza on Sunday had suffered gunshot wounds to the head and other parts of the body.
Autopsies revealed that they had been executed within 48 hours of being discovered, and that their bodies showed signs of neglect during their captivity.
No evidence of torture was found, except for one hostage who had been bound, but the condition of the bodies indicated systematic neglect, including a long period of poor hygiene, and signs of injuries sustained during the abduction that had not been treated over time.
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris issued statements following the murder.
“Hamas leaders will pay a price for these crimes,” Biden said in a statement, adding that he had “worked tirelessly” to bring home American-Israeli hostage Goldberg-Polin. (Biden is on vacation for two weeks.)
Harris said she was “praying” for Rachel Goldberg Pollin and her husband, John Pollin, and described Hamas as an “evil terrorist organization.”
