Jeff Walz Praised by MAGA for Standing Up to Brother Tim Walz

In an unexpected twist in the family’s political drama, Jeff Walz, brother of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, has found himself in the spotlight after social media posts allegedly critical of his brother surfaced.

The Facebook posts, believed to date back to March 2023, have galvanized supporters of former President Donald Trump, who view the alleged comments as ammunition against the Democratic vice presidential nominee.

The controversy erupted when far-right activists began sharing screenshots of Facebook comments allegedly made by Jeff Walz. In one of the posts, he wrote, “We just became a third world banana republic,” on the same day that President Trump was indicted in New York for his role in covering up money paid to adult film actress Stormy Daniels.

The authenticity of these posts has not been independently verified, and neither Jeff Walz nor the office of Governor Tim Walz has confirmed their validity. Newsweek I reached out to the Tim Walz campaign via email, as well as Jeff Walz on Saturday for comment.

This statement, along with others purportedly expressing opposition to his brother’s political ideology, was used by Trump’s base as evidence of discord within the Walz family.

Despite the lack of verification, the alleged comments quickly spread on social media, particularly in conservative circles.

Family dynamics in politics can play a significant role in public perceptions of candidates. When a close relative, especially a sibling, publicly opposes a politician’s views, it can raise questions about the candidate’s ability to unite his or her own family, let alone a diverse nation.

However, several prominent voices in the MAGA movement have taken to social media to amplify Jeff Walz’s alleged comments on Facebook.

Laura Loomer, a far-right activist and internet personality, shared the screenshots on X, formerly Twitter, claiming that Jeff Walz had donated to Trump’s campaign in 2016. This claim has not been independently verified.

Other Trump supporters added their support to the posts:

The incident has reignited debate over the ethics of involving family members in political conflicts. There is a long tradition in American politics of keeping family members, especially those not directly involved in campaigns, out of the spotlight.

However, in the age of social media, maintaining this separation is becoming increasingly difficult.

Many users drew parallels to other examples of family members opposing politicians, such as Mary Trump’s fierce criticism of her estranged uncle, Donald Trump. In 2020, Mary Trump posted Too much and never enougha book that tells all about the former president and his family. In it, she claims that he is “totally incapable of leading this country and that it is dangerous to let him do so.”

The Trump campaign has yet to officially comment on the situation. Newsweek reached out to Trump’s spokesman via email Saturday for comment.

As the case continues to unfold, it remains unclear whether Jeff Walz intends to take a public stand against his brother’s candidacy. In one of the leaked screenshots, he appears to contemplate publicly endorsing Trump, writing, “I’ve thought a lot about doing something like this. I’m torn between that and just leaving my family out of it.”

The controversy comes at a crucial time for the Harris-Walz campaign, as it prepares for what is shaping up to be a highly contentious election campaign.

As the 2024 election approaches, it remains to be seen whether this family rift will fade from public attention or become a recurring theme in political discourse. What is clear, however, is that in today’s political climate, even the most personal family issues can quickly become fodder for national debate.