A photo of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz’s extended family is generating buzz online. The image shows eight of Walz’s relatives wearing “Walz’s for Trump” T-shirts in front of a “Trump 2024 – Take America Back” flag. Walz is the running mate of Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris.
The photo has been widely shared, even making its way to former President Donald Trump’s Truth Social platform, where he praised it as an endorsement by Walz family members.
But who are these people in the picture?
Walz’s mother confirmed to TMZ that the family members are second cousins to Tim Walz. The people in the photo confirmed to The Associated Press that they are descendants of Francis Walz, who was the brother of Tim Walz’s grandfather.
Walz’s mother said she is not surprised to see that side of the family supporting Trump, describing them as “conservative devout Catholics.”
Walz’s sister also commented on the controversial endorsement photo, saying she does not even recognize those family members.
This is not the first time this week Walz’s family has been in the spotlight for political differences.
His older brother, Jeff Walz, said he “100 percent opposes” Tim Walz’s ideology in Facebook comments he did not intend to have widely shared. Comments included his belief that his brother is “not the type of character you want making decisions about your future.”
Jeff Walz spoke to NewsNation about the comments in a phone interview.
“It wasn’t my intent,” he said. “It wasn’t our intent as a family to put something out there to influence the general public.”
Jeff, who is a registered Republican and donated $20 to Trump’s campaign in 2016, stands by his comments that he disagrees with his brother.
“I will say I disagree with his policies,” Jeff Walz said.
Despite considering an official endeorsement of Trump and Trump praising Jeff for an endorsement, Jeff Walz said he wishes to be uninvolved in any political campaign.
