Minnesota Governor Tim Waltz (D) all disappeared after he and former vice president Kamala Harris lost the presidential election to President Trump in November.
But while Harris keeps the spotlight down, Waltz reappears in a series of interviews and public appearances that tried to explain why Democrat tickets didn't win.
He also aims to be Republican and technology mogul Elon Musk, and is lending his voice to democratic resistance to Trump.
Some Democrats have said the appearance and comments are “rehabilitation tours” as Waltz is trying to keep himself away from harsh losses while still leaving the door open for the potential presidential run in 2028.
“When you're a politician, your job is to always think about how you can serve,” said Democrat strategist Joel Payne.
“Since he's not an old man, it's not unreasonable to think he's one of the important voices of the upcoming party,” Payne added the 60-year-old Waltz.
“And the Democrats are in a place where all voices are welcome,” Payne added. “The Democrats need all the weight.”
Walz appeared on California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) Buzzy Podcast to try to assess the 2024 race and Democratic instability. On his appearance, Waltz also claimed that Trump voters were “scary” about his manliness.
“I think it scares them a little, [which is] Why do they spend so much time on me,” Waltz told Newsom, another potential 2028 presidential candidate for the Democratic Party.
Newsom began laughing at the comments and asked Walz to say:
This week at Wisconsin's Swing Town Hall, Waltz targeted Musk, the Department of Government Efficiency leader, who is demolishing federal agencies.
“On the iPhone, they have that little stock app,” Walz said. “We added Tesla and gave us a little boost during the day.”
Musk's Company's Tesla has seen its stock fall sharply this year.
Waltz's comments received praise from Democrats who were looking for fighters to take on Trump and Musk.
But Republicans, along with Musk — said they highlighted why Waltz not only lost in November, but also contributed negatively to Democrat tickets.
“I am grateful to most of you when I need a little boost,” Musk wrote on X, the social media platform he owns.
Speaking from the oval office on Friday, Trump was also known as the waltz “loser” after reporters asked him what the governor had done about Trump supporters.
“He lost the election,” Trump replied. “He played the role. I know that the Vice President usually doesn't play the role. They say. I think Tim played the role.”
“I think he was so bad that it hurt her,” Trump continued. “But she hurt herself and Joe hurt both. They didn't have a great group. But I'd probably put him at the bottom of the group.”
Initially, the former high school football coach and Hunter excited the Democratic base after Harris chose Waltz as her running mate in August. Democrats praised their ability to speak to moderate Democrats, independents and some Republicans.
However, in the campaign post space, Democrats criticize campaign operations for playing too safely and not using Walz in the best way. There have been some re-speculations as to whether Harris would be better off choosing Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro (D) as her running mate.
Waltz addressed some of these feelings in a recent interview. There, it seemed to be telling a place where he thought the campaign hadn't worked.
“I think we probably would have rolled the dice and did City Hall. [voters] You might say you are full of s – ‑ – –. I don't believe in you,” Waltz said in an interview with Politico. “I think there could have been more.”
“We as a party are more cautious,” Waltz continued, referring to the ways Democrats deal with the media in general.
It appears that Walz is taking a different approach now. It pleases Democrats who say he is an effective voice as the party opposes Trump and rebuilds their slack brand.
“He was a very good messenger and communicator until he was boxed during the campaign,” said Democrat strategist Eddie Verele, adding that Walz is “trying to show he still has a fastball.”
However, other strategists say that the “Minnesotanic” avatar needs to take another tack if he has a greater political aspiration.
“If he wants to run for president, he must be less embarrassing and more assertive,” said Democrat strategist Brad Bannon. “That's what voters want and what Democrats need.”
Tobe Berkowitz, a communications professor at Boston University who worked as a political media consultant, said the waltz attempts to political rehabilitation were inadequate.
“After the horrifying campaign to become vice president, Governor Waltz has come across a series of events and media appearances, presenting himself as a potential presidential candidate,” Belkowitz said. “This should be in the highlight reel that presents the despair of Democrats looking forward to the 2026 and 2028 elections.”
