Tim Walz Tries A Little Damage Control After Hamas Hostage Debacle, Falls Flat

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz made an attempt at damage control — following a wave of backlash for refusing to address the six hostages found dead in Gaza — and critics made it clear that they weren’t impressed with his response.

Walz was initially approached on Sunday at the Minnesota State Fair, and while the Democratic Party’s vice presidential nominee appeared to be enjoying himself up to that point, he turned his back and walked away the minute someone asked about the six hostages found by Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in Rafah.

WATCH:

Tim Walz was asked three questions at the state fair—the first two were superficial softballs.

When asked about the six dead hostages in Gaza?

*walks away*pic.twitter.com/26zjsTw01j

— Dustin Grage (@GrageDustin) September 1, 2024

Hours later, after video of the exchange spread across social media, Walz attempted damage control and posted a statement about one of the hostages who was among the dead, 23-year-old American-Israeli Hersh Goldberg-Polin.

“The anguish of losing a child is something no family should have to endure. Gwen and I send our deepest condolences to the Goldberg-Polin family, after Hamas’ murder of their son Hersh,” Walz said. “Hamas is a brutal terrorist organization — and we condemn their continued atrocities against both Americans and Israelis in the strongest possible terms.”

Critics pushed back, however, saying that Walz’s statement was too little too late — particularly after the way he’d responded when asked about the situation earlier.

“It took you all day to come up with this? Why didn’t you just answer the question at the State Fair?” one posted.

It took you all day to come up with this?

Why didn’t you just answer the question at the State Fair?pic.twitter.com/jJ3B1xRHPn

— IT Guy (@ITGuy1959) September 2, 2024

“Why did you run away when asked?” another post read.

Why did you run away when asked? https://t.co/O6lxvvIX2j

— jimtreacher.substack.com (@jtLOL) September 2, 2024

“Tim Walz wouldn’t have said a word about this had he not been caught on tape. He ignored the question earlier today and now he’s trying to save face,” another posted.

Tim Walz wouldn’t have said a word about this had he not been caught on tape.

He ignored the question earlier today and now he’s trying to save face. https://t.co/FS8ZPbyGTO pic.twitter.com/ykQoc3R0rv

— Dustin Grage (@GrageDustin) September 2, 2024

“Finally done at the State Fair? Or did your handlers realize what a terrible look it was to run away when asked about a murdered American so they had an intern write something? Too little, too late,” Twitchy’s PolitiBunny concluded.

Finally done at the State Fair? Or did your handlers realize what a terrible look it was to run away when asked about a murdered American so they had an intern write something?

Too little, too late.

— The????FOO (@PolitiBunny) September 2, 2024