“It’s strange”: Tim Walz warns of Trump’s 2025 agenda if he is re-elected
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz officially accepted his vice presidential nomination on stage in Chicago and spoke to key voters across the country.
Wednesday night was supposed to be Tim Walz’s night at the Democratic National Convention.
And in many ways it was. On purpose—after all, he was accepting his party’s nomination for vice president. His speech was praised from all quarters, even Fox News. And he wasn’t the only draw. Former President Bill Clinton spoke, as did former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi. Oprah Winfrey rivaled Michelle Obama in the stand-up-and-cheer speech. John Legend and Sheila E. performed a glowing tribute to Prince to introduce Walz, the governor of Minnesota.
But for a few seconds none of that mattered.
That’s what Gus Walz did.
Who is Tim Walz’s son?
During his speech, Walz spoke about the difficulties he and his wife had in trying to start a family. He turned to the box where his family was sitting. “Hope, Gus and Gwen, you are my whole world,” he said. “And I love you.”
The television cameras panned to the family, as they do at times like these. Hope made a heart symbol with her hands, crying. But when the camera panned to Gus, he was standing there crying – happy, proud tears – and mouthing, “That’s my father! That’s my father!”
It was, for lack of a better word, beautiful.
Gus, 17, has a nonverbal learning disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Walz talked about how important it was not to change him, but to help him enjoy his life. And at that moment, he was enjoying it to the fullest.
When the speech was over and the networks began analyzing it, Gus was one of the first things everyone was talking about. On Fox News, Martha MacCallum and Dana Perino talked about how moving the moment was.
Gus Walz went beyond politics
“I love Gus Walz,” said Jen Psaki, MSNBC host and former White House press secretary. “I start crying just talking about him.”
Dana Bash told CNN: “This is the cut and save moment that everyone will see. If you weren’t moved by this moment, I don’t know what was. What a remarkable moment in American life.”
On the show “X,” MSNBC presenter Stephanie Ruhle was already moved before the big moment and posted: “Forget politics. If seeing 17-year-old Gus Walz in tears as he watches his father appear as a vice presidential candidate doesn’t move you… then please just don’t.”
Eventually, everyone did it. It was political theater again. JD Vance, the Republican vice presidential candidate, was making the rounds on Fox News and CNN. Politics as usual.
But for a moment, it was more. It was a son who was so proud of his father, and a father who was so proud of his son. It’s a shame it had to end.
The convention ends Thursday with Kamala Harris accepting the party’s nomination for president. This is something the entire convention has been working toward. But it will be hard to top Gus on Wednesday night.
Wow, something is working: Are Fox News and Meghan McCain praising the DNC?
Reach Goodykoontz at [email protected]. Facebook: facebook.com/GoodyOnFilm. X: @guterK. Subscribe the weekly film newsletter.
