Minnesota Governor Tim Walz calls for Democrats to adopt a more aggressive stance against President Trump, urging them to “be a little meaner” and “bully the s**t out of him back” in a fiery South Carolina speech.
At a Glance
- Former Democratic VP candidate Tim Walz urged fellow Democrats to “be a little meaner” toward President Trump during a South Carolina Democratic convention
- Walz labeled Trump a “bully,” “wannabe dictator,” and an “existential threat” to the nation
- The Minnesota Governor suggested Democrats’ positive messaging failed to resonate with voters in the 2024 election
- Walz compared Trump to a schoolyard bully who needs to be confronted rather than reasoned with
Walz Advocates for Tougher Democratic Strategy
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who recently failed in his bid as the Democratic vice presidential candidate, is now calling for a fundamental shift in how Democrats engage with President Donald Trump. Speaking at the South Carolina Democratic Party convention in Columbia, Walz declared that Democrats need to abandon their purely positive messaging and adopt a more confrontational approach. The governor’s remarks come as Democrats continue to process their comprehensive defeat in the 2024 election, having lost control of the White House, Senate, and failing to regain the House of Representatives.
Walz, drawing on his background as a former schoolteacher, framed his argument through the lens of dealing with classroom bullies. “The thing that bothers a teacher more than anything is to watch a bully. And when it’s a child, you talk to them and you tell them why bullying is wrong,” Walz explained to the crowd. However, he quickly pivoted to a more aggressive stance regarding the President: “But when it’s an adult like Donald Trump, you bully the s**t out of him back!”
Reflections on the 2024 Election Loss
The Minnesota Governor expressed apparent surprise at the American electorate’s rejection of the Democrats’ positive messaging strategy in the 2024 campaign. “Maybe it’s time for us to be a little meaner, a little bit more fierce, because we have to ferociously push back on this,” said Tim Walz. He went on to characterize Trump in stark terms, calling him “the existential threat that we knew was coming” and a “wannabe dictator” who poses a fundamental danger to American democracy.
Walz acknowledged the impact of economic concerns on voting decisions, suggesting Democrats need to better understand the public mood. Some conservative critics have attributed the Democratic ticket’s defeat to other factors, including the selection of Walz himself, whom they claim was chosen to appease anti-Israeli factions within the Democratic Party. The Governor has faced previous criticism for comments about his ability to “code talk to white guys watching football, fixing their truck” – remarks that were intended to showcase his appeal to working-class voters.
Encouraging Democratic Resilience
Despite the call for a more aggressive approach, Walz also encouraged Democrats to maintain their joy and enthusiasm while engaging in political battles. Speaking to South Carolina Democrats, who represent a minority party in a predominantly Republican state, he praised their courage and persistence. Walz’s appearance included participation in a fundraising dinner and after-party fish fry hosted by South Carolina Democratic Representative Jim Clyburn, a longtime party leader in the state.
The Governor has not confirmed his future political plans, including whether he will seek a third term as Minnesota’s Governor in 2026 or potentially run for President in 2028. His recent prominence on the national stage, despite the electoral defeat, has positioned him as a potential voice in shaping Democratic strategy moving forward. Walz’s calls for a more confrontational approach against President Trump may signal an emerging shift in Democratic messaging as the party regroups and prepares for future electoral contests.
