Minnesota Democrat Gov. Tim Walz drew sharp criticism Monday after joking at a Labor Day picnic that he half-expected to wake up to news of President Donald Trump’s death — remarks that drew laughter from supporters.
Walz was referencing viral social media rumors claiming Trump had died.
“You get up in the morning and you doom scroll through things… you woke up the last few days thinking there might be news,” Walz said, smiling. “Just saying. There will be news sometime. There will be news.”
His comments came days after conspiracy posts falsely claimed Trump had passed away, assertions that were quickly proven false when the President was seen golfing with his granddaughter in Sterling, Virginia.
“… [M]ocking President Trump’s health is a new low, even for you. Wishing ill on others doesn’t make you a leader — it makes you small. Minnesotans deserve better,” Emmer wrote in his post on X.
“A sitting Governor made this statement. A sitting Governor was disappointed that President Trump isn’t dead. Tim Walz should be removed from office,” wrote social media user Kate@kate_p45.
CNN contributor and podcast host Scott Jennings commented, “I used to say [Tim Walz] was the biggest buffoon in politics, but after what he just did, now I say he’s just a massive piece of s**t. Watch the video of him wishing for President Trump to die and judge for yourself.”
As The Dallas Express previously reported, Trump has already survived two assassination attempts — in July 2024 in Pennsylvania and September 2024 at Mar-a-Lago — underscoring the ongoing threats he faces.
Republicans said Walz’s rhetoric fits a larger pattern of Democrats normalizing violent language against Trump and law enforcement. The Dallas Express has reported on a 500% spike in assaults on ICE agents during enforcement operations, which DHS leaders blamed on inflammatory attacks by officials such as Hakeem Jeffries, Karen Bass, Michelle Wu — and Walz himself.
Just weeks before, Walz had told Democrats it might be time to “be a little more fierce” and to “bully the sh*t out of [Trump] back,” labeling him a “wannabe dictator.” Days later, after the assassination of Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman, Walz condemned political violence. Critics say his mixed messaging only underscores how left-wing rhetoric is fueling real-world danger.
DHS leaders, including Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin and Secretary Kristi Noem, said those who doxx or assault agents will face full prosecution.
Walz’s office did not respond to a request for comment from The Dallas Express as of press time.