In rare interview, Walz minimizes earlier inaccurate remarks
The governor of Minnesota also sought to bolster support for the Democratic ticket.
TroibNews 
Gov. Tim Walz, in a rare interview on Sunday, sought to downplay some of his past inaccurate statements that were highlighted during last week’s vice presidential debate. He aimed to make a stronger case for the Democratic ticket amid some disappointment within his party regarding his lack of assertiveness in countering JD Vance.
Since being selected as Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate, the Minnesota governor has faced the task of addressing several misleading statements and embellishments regarding his background. These inaccuracies include his repeated misrepresentation of his retired military rank, details of a visit to Hong Kong over thirty years ago, and clarifications about his family’s use of in vitro fertilization.
“I will own up when I misspeak. I will own up when I make a mistake,” Walz stated in an interview with Shannon Bream on “Fox News Sunday.”
However, Walz quickly added that he did not believe voters are overly concerned about whether his family specifically utilized in vitro fertilization or an alternative treatment. The Harris campaign has clarified that Walz’s family actually used IUI, not IVF, which Republicans have attempted to ban. Nevertheless, the governor did not directly address why he previously claimed to be in Hong Kong during the Tiananmen Square protests in 1989, when he appears to have been in the region months later. During the debate with Republican vice-presidential nominee Vance, Walz acknowledged being “a knucklehead” and admitted he “misspoke” when asked about this issue. He later attempted to rectify his comments, stating he had confused the dates and was in Hong Kong at another time in 1989.
“Let's be very clear, on that debate stage the other night, I asked one very simple question, and Sen. Vance would not acknowledge that Donald Trump lost the 2020 election,” Walz remarked on Sunday. “I think they're probably far more concerned with that than my wife and I used IUI to have our child and that Donald Trump would restrict that.”
“So I think folks know who I am,” Walz continued. “My constituents here in Minnesota have elected me eight times. They know where I'm at. And I'm proud to be on the ticket and will deliver, just like we have here in Minnesota.”
This interview was Walz’s first appearance on a Sunday show since being selected as Harris’ running mate. The Harris campaign has shown hesitance for both candidates to partake in numerous interviews in recent weeks, but in light of the debate performance, they are ramping up travel and media efforts as the campaign intensifies.
On Sunday, Walz also endeavored to more clearly delineate the differences between Trump and Harris, following concerns from some Democrats about his performance during the debate where he occasionally struggled to succinctly explain why Harris would make a superior president.
The governor claimed that Trump would impose $4,000 in new annual expenses on Americans due to threats of increased tariffs on everyday goods imported into the U.S., contrasting this with Harris’s commitment to supporting small businesses and increasing the child tax credit for families.
Yet, when pressed again on a question he sidestepped during the debate regarding the escalating military conflict in the Middle East and the possibility of a preemptive strike on Iran, Walz initially refrained from giving a direct answer.
“Just to be clear, we have always said we reserve the right to protect American troops, our allies in the region, and that there are consequences for Iran,” he stated.
“Specific operations will be dealt with at the time,” Walz responded when Bream pressed him further on whether he would endorse a military strike on Iran’s nuclear or oil facilities.
Walz also remarked that Monday marks the “tragic anniversary” of the October 7 Hamas terror attacks in Israel.
“Hamas terrorists murdered over 1,200 innocent Israelis, 46 Americans took hostages. We have been clear: Israel has the right to defend itself. We've always stood in that position. We need the hostages returned and we need to bring an end to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza,” Walz declared.
“But again, the point is it — it's Iran that is at the heart of this and their proxies that bring disruption throughout the region,” he continued, asserting that Trump’s decision to withdraw the U.S. from the Iran nuclear deal allowed Iran to advance closer to developing nuclear weapons.
Walz’s caution in engaging with the media has surprised some Democrats, especially given his rise to prominence during the veepstakes through a series of compelling interviews that energized the party. However, supporters of Walz, who was seen as a dark-horse candidate until the final stages of selection, noted that he thrived in those friendlier interviews, unlike the heightened scrutiny he faces now as the Democratic vice-presidential nominee. He has recently participated in several local interviews in battleground states, spoke live with ABC and MSNBC following Harris’ debate, and recorded a solo interview with "60 Minutes," set to air Monday.
During the vice presidential debate, Walz faced considerable scrutiny, where he noticeably struggled over key responses, particularly concerning his claim of being in Hong Kong during the Tiananmen Square protests. Nevertheless, post-debate polling indicated a relatively even split among respondents regarding who won, with Walz performing well among independent voters, according to a PMG/Focaldata survey of likely voters.
Walz surprised some Democrats and staffers by frequently agreeing with Vance during the debate, rather than more forcefully rebutting Vance’s portrayal of the Trump presidency as a time of prosperity and peace.
On Sunday, in response to questions about an abortion law he signed in Minnesota, Walz sought to more aggressively challenge Trump and Vance on their abortion policies, asserting that the former president would impose a national abortion ban if reelected.
Bream interjected to clarify that Trump has stated he would not endorse a national abortion ban, asking Walz if he was labeling this a “flat-out lie.”
“Yes. Of course,” Walz replied, adding that Vance “in the past has said so too.”
“Now look, they may see this as an election issue,” Walz added. “We see it as a right of women to make their own bodily decisions. And that’s what the states, like my state, have the ability to put that in.”
At a fundraiser in Cleveland on Saturday evening, Walz appeared to reference his debate performance, expressing that he got “riled up” as Vance “was rewriting history,” according to pool reporters present.
But he acknowledged holding back at times, stating he wanted to express his frustration more openly but recognized there would be “children watching everything.”
“But Senator Vance said, Republican Party's got to do better. Women don't trust us. And I'm like, 'No, shit,' they don't,” Walz told the audience.
Jessica Kline contributed to this report for TROIB News
Since being selected as Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate, the Minnesota governor has faced the task of addressing several misleading statements and embellishments regarding his background. These inaccuracies include his repeated misrepresentation of his retired military rank, details of a visit to Hong Kong over thirty years ago, and clarifications about his family’s use of in vitro fertilization.
“I will own up when I misspeak. I will own up when I make a mistake,” Walz stated in an interview with Shannon Bream on “Fox News Sunday.”
However, Walz quickly added that he did not believe voters are overly concerned about whether his family specifically utilized in vitro fertilization or an alternative treatment. The Harris campaign has clarified that Walz’s family actually used IUI, not IVF, which Republicans have attempted to ban. Nevertheless, the governor did not directly address why he previously claimed to be in Hong Kong during the Tiananmen Square protests in 1989, when he appears to have been in the region months later. During the debate with Republican vice-presidential nominee Vance, Walz acknowledged being “a knucklehead” and admitted he “misspoke” when asked about this issue. He later attempted to rectify his comments, stating he had confused the dates and was in Hong Kong at another time in 1989.
“Let's be very clear, on that debate stage the other night, I asked one very simple question, and Sen. Vance would not acknowledge that Donald Trump lost the 2020 election,” Walz remarked on Sunday. “I think they're probably far more concerned with that than my wife and I used IUI to have our child and that Donald Trump would restrict that.”
“So I think folks know who I am,” Walz continued. “My constituents here in Minnesota have elected me eight times. They know where I'm at. And I'm proud to be on the ticket and will deliver, just like we have here in Minnesota.”
This interview was Walz’s first appearance on a Sunday show since being selected as Harris’ running mate. The Harris campaign has shown hesitance for both candidates to partake in numerous interviews in recent weeks, but in light of the debate performance, they are ramping up travel and media efforts as the campaign intensifies.
On Sunday, Walz also endeavored to more clearly delineate the differences between Trump and Harris, following concerns from some Democrats about his performance during the debate where he occasionally struggled to succinctly explain why Harris would make a superior president.
The governor claimed that Trump would impose $4,000 in new annual expenses on Americans due to threats of increased tariffs on everyday goods imported into the U.S., contrasting this with Harris’s commitment to supporting small businesses and increasing the child tax credit for families.
Yet, when pressed again on a question he sidestepped during the debate regarding the escalating military conflict in the Middle East and the possibility of a preemptive strike on Iran, Walz initially refrained from giving a direct answer.
“Just to be clear, we have always said we reserve the right to protect American troops, our allies in the region, and that there are consequences for Iran,” he stated.
“Specific operations will be dealt with at the time,” Walz responded when Bream pressed him further on whether he would endorse a military strike on Iran’s nuclear or oil facilities.
Walz also remarked that Monday marks the “tragic anniversary” of the October 7 Hamas terror attacks in Israel.
“Hamas terrorists murdered over 1,200 innocent Israelis, 46 Americans took hostages. We have been clear: Israel has the right to defend itself. We've always stood in that position. We need the hostages returned and we need to bring an end to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza,” Walz declared.
“But again, the point is it — it's Iran that is at the heart of this and their proxies that bring disruption throughout the region,” he continued, asserting that Trump’s decision to withdraw the U.S. from the Iran nuclear deal allowed Iran to advance closer to developing nuclear weapons.
Walz’s caution in engaging with the media has surprised some Democrats, especially given his rise to prominence during the veepstakes through a series of compelling interviews that energized the party. However, supporters of Walz, who was seen as a dark-horse candidate until the final stages of selection, noted that he thrived in those friendlier interviews, unlike the heightened scrutiny he faces now as the Democratic vice-presidential nominee. He has recently participated in several local interviews in battleground states, spoke live with ABC and MSNBC following Harris’ debate, and recorded a solo interview with "60 Minutes," set to air Monday.
During the vice presidential debate, Walz faced considerable scrutiny, where he noticeably struggled over key responses, particularly concerning his claim of being in Hong Kong during the Tiananmen Square protests. Nevertheless, post-debate polling indicated a relatively even split among respondents regarding who won, with Walz performing well among independent voters, according to a PMG/Focaldata survey of likely voters.
Walz surprised some Democrats and staffers by frequently agreeing with Vance during the debate, rather than more forcefully rebutting Vance’s portrayal of the Trump presidency as a time of prosperity and peace.
On Sunday, in response to questions about an abortion law he signed in Minnesota, Walz sought to more aggressively challenge Trump and Vance on their abortion policies, asserting that the former president would impose a national abortion ban if reelected.
Bream interjected to clarify that Trump has stated he would not endorse a national abortion ban, asking Walz if he was labeling this a “flat-out lie.”
“Yes. Of course,” Walz replied, adding that Vance “in the past has said so too.”
“Now look, they may see this as an election issue,” Walz added. “We see it as a right of women to make their own bodily decisions. And that’s what the states, like my state, have the ability to put that in.”
At a fundraiser in Cleveland on Saturday evening, Walz appeared to reference his debate performance, expressing that he got “riled up” as Vance “was rewriting history,” according to pool reporters present.
But he acknowledged holding back at times, stating he wanted to express his frustration more openly but recognized there would be “children watching everything.”
“But Senator Vance said, Republican Party's got to do better. Women don't trust us. And I'm like, 'No, shit,' they don't,” Walz told the audience.
Jessica Kline contributed to this report for TROIB News
