A day after Minnesota Governor Tim Walz‘s 17-year-old son, Gus, stole the show at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) with an emotional moment, a new video has surfaced that has raised eyebrows and sparked controversy. The clip, circulating on social media, shows Walz apparently yanking his son’s arm to pull him on stage during the event.
The video was captured on Wednesday, the same night Gus was seen tearfully cheering for his father from the audience.While many initially praised the Walz family’s heartfelt displays of affection, the newly emerged footage has drawn criticism for what some are interpreting as an overly aggressive gesture.
Gus, who has a nonverbal learning disorder and an anxiety disorder, appeared emotional during his father’s speech, mouthing, “That’s my dad!” as he pointed at Walz on stage. However, the heartwarming scene has now been overshadowed by the controversy surrounding the video.
Social media erupted with mixed reactions. Some viewers suggested that Walz’s actions may have stemmed from excitement or urgency in the moment. Others, however, saw the gesture as an unsettling glimpse into his personality. Comments on X (formerly Twitter) ranged from those expressing concern about Walz’s “aggressive demeanor” to those accusing him of using his son as a political prop.
One user commented, “Tim showing his true colors, looks very unnecessary. Glad he put it on display for all of America to see,” while another said, “Tim Walz pulling his son’s arm on stage is more than just a bad look—it’s a sign of weak control and poor judgment.”
The video was captured on Wednesday, the same night Gus was seen tearfully cheering for his father from the audience.While many initially praised the Walz family’s heartfelt displays of affection, the newly emerged footage has drawn criticism for what some are interpreting as an overly aggressive gesture.
Gus, who has a nonverbal learning disorder and an anxiety disorder, appeared emotional during his father’s speech, mouthing, “That’s my dad!” as he pointed at Walz on stage. However, the heartwarming scene has now been overshadowed by the controversy surrounding the video.
Social media erupted with mixed reactions. Some viewers suggested that Walz’s actions may have stemmed from excitement or urgency in the moment. Others, however, saw the gesture as an unsettling glimpse into his personality. Comments on X (formerly Twitter) ranged from those expressing concern about Walz’s “aggressive demeanor” to those accusing him of using his son as a political prop.
One user commented, “Tim showing his true colors, looks very unnecessary. Glad he put it on display for all of America to see,” while another said, “Tim Walz pulling his son’s arm on stage is more than just a bad look—it’s a sign of weak control and poor judgment.”
The backlash comes at a critical time for Walz, who is Kamala Harris’ vice-presidential running mate. His speech at the DNC was intended to galvanize support for the Democratic ticket, but the narrative has since shifted to this viral video, raising questions about the optics and the potential impact on his campaign.
While some defenders argue that the moment has been blown out of proportion, others believe it has opened a window into Walz’s character, potentially affecting his public image as the election approaches. The incident has added a new layer of complexity to what was initially seen as a strong showing by the Walz family at the DNC.