JUST IN: Tim Walz Caught in Scandal Over False Political Origin Story
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who’s also the Democrat vice presidential nominee, is finding himself in hot water as a new scandal unfolds. Already under fire for allegedly embellishing his military record, Walz now faces backlash for fabricating a key story about how he entered politics—a tale that’s been central to his political identity.
Walz has often recounted a story from 2004 when, as a high school teacher, he supposedly decided to enter politics after being denied entry to a rally for then-President George W. Bush. According to Walz, he and two students were turned away because one of the students had a John Kerry campaign sticker in their wallet. This moment, Walz claimed, was the spark that ignited his desire to bridge political divides and led him to run for office.
But a recent investigation by the Washington Examiner has exposed major inconsistencies in Walz’s story. Contrary to what Walz has been telling voters, sources close to the event say he was actually admitted to the rally. And those “students” he mentioned? They weren’t his students at all—they were the children of fellow teachers.
Thread – The last sitting President to visit my hometown of Mankato, Minnesota was George W. Bush in 2004. As a high school teacher and football coach, I brought two fellow teachers’ children to the speech as an educational experience. We were denied entry…
— Tim Walz (@Tim_Walz) August 17, 2020
In fact, Walz’s entire narrative seems to be falling apart. Chris Faulkner, who worked on the Bush campaign in Minnesota back in 2004, told the Washington Examiner that Walz’s story is simply made up. “He was looking for an origin story. And he made one up,” Faulkner said.
and my students, regardless of political party, deserved to witness the historical moment of a sitting president coming to our city. Above all, I was struck by how deeply divided our country was becoming that a veteran & a group of high schoolers would be turned away at the door.
— Tim Walz (@Tim_Walz) August 17, 2020
Two years after President Bush’s visit, I was elected to represent southern Minnesota in Congress. Fourteen years later, I was elected as the Governor of the great State of Minnesota.
— Tim Walz (@Tim_Walz) August 17, 2020
Adding to the scandal, the two young men Walz claimed were his students at the time—Nick Burkhart and Matt Klaber—weren’t even attending the school where Walz taught. Burkhart went to a different high school, and Klaber wasn’t even a student of Walz’s at the time. This new information makes it clear that Walz’s story doesn’t hold water.
As if that weren’t enough, this scandal comes at a time when Walz is already being accused of “stolen valor” by veterans’ groups who say he’s exaggerated his military service during his time in Operation Enduring Freedom.
With his credibility taking a hit from all sides, Walz’s ability to rally support as the Democratic vice presidential nominee is looking shaky. As voters start questioning his honesty, this scandal could have serious consequences for his political future.
