Tim Walz appears to have missed the mark.
The Minnesota Governor and recent running mate to Kamala Harris made headlines with a podcast appearance where he suggested that the allure of Donald Trump among young male voters stems from a desire for entertainment rather than substantive policy discussions. Walz asserted that Trump effectively creates a sense of community, offering a “place to belong” for many individuals.
Let’s unpack this. Firstly, to claim that support for Trump is purely about entertainment overlooks the significant policy implications that his supporters consider. Moreover, it seems somewhat ironic that Walz’s own party has relied on celebrity endorsements—think Beyoncé stumping for the Harris/Walz campaign—to attract attention, thus prioritizing entertainment over policy. Hypocrisy, anyone?
The Hill reports:
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) recently argued on a podcast that part of President Trump’s appeal lies in his ability to foster community, particularly among young men.
“Social media and other things have disconnected people more than they were,” Walz remarked in the Thursday episode. “We were more connected in my generation. It was easier to be a kid when I was growing up. And I’ve always said this, as a teacher: If you don’t give a kid a place to belong, they’ll go find one.”
“I think Donald Trump understands belonging, understands groups,” he continued. “I mean, look at it. He gives them a uniform, the red hat. He gives them some chance. … It’s not all that different from when we build sports teams in high schools.”
Walz added a personal touch: “I’m proud to say, it looks like as of next Tuesday, I’m going to have a high school graduate with my son Gus. And he’s pretty in tune to this. … He said, ‘Dad, a lot of these young guys … they’re not voting on the policy issues. … They’re doing it because there’s a sense of excitement, a sense of thrill in this.’ It’s entertainment, or whatever.”
Here’s a glimpse into the conversation:
Tim Walz’s son told him young men voted for Trump because “it’s entertainment.”
“Dad, they’re not voting on the policy.”
They think you’re foolish.
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) June 2, 2025
So, it’s all about entertainment, right?
From Mumford & Sons to Gracie Abrams, major musicians are turning out in full force to support that Harris/Walz ticket ahead of Election Day. https://t.co/lGyXDR2Z6X
— Vogue Magazine (@voguemagazine) November 5, 2024
It’s almost as if Democrats believe the public has collective amnesia.
