A leaked photo has circulated widely on social media, showing eight relatives of Walz, Democratic nominee Kamala Harris' running mate, wearing "Walz for Trump" T-shirts and standing in front of a "Trump 2024—Take America Back" flag. The image, initially shared by a family friend, was later posted by Charles W. Herbster, a former Nebraska gubernatorial candidate and Trump ally. Herbster's caption, "Tim Walz's family back in Nebraska wants you to know something," further amplified the image's impact across Trump-supporting circles. The former president later reshared it on his Truth Social profile.
When asked about the authenticity of the photo, Herbster's spokesperson, Rod Edwards, told Newsweek that the people in the picture are cousins of Governor Walz, related to him through his grandfather's brother, Francis. He added that the photo was shared by a family friend, and the family gave Herbster permission to publish it online.
After the picture started spreading online, The descendants of Francis Walz confirmed their relationship to Tim Walz in a text message to The Associated Press.
"Shortly after Governor Tim Walz was named the Democratic Party's Vice Presidential nominee, our family had a get-together. We had T-shirts made to show support for President Trump and JD Vance, and we took a group picture. That photo was shared with friends, and when we were asked for permission to post the picture, we agreed," the written statement said.
"The picture is real. The shirts are real. We are the Nebraska Walz family, and we are related to Gov. Tim Walz. Our grandfathers were brothers. The message on the shirts speaks for itself: 'Nebraska Walzs for Trump.'"
Newsweek reached out to the Trump and Harris campaigns via email for comment on Wednesday.
This is not the first time Walz's family has made headlines for their political differences. Jeff Walz, Tim Walz's older brother, has made a series of public comments that further highlighted the family divide. Jeff, a resident of Florida, posted on Facebook that he is "100% opposed" to his brother's political views.
"Not the type of character you want making decisions about your future," Jeff Walz wrote, referring to his brother.
Jeff Walz later clarified that while he strongly disagrees with his brother's policies, it was not his intent to influence voters.
"I was just trying to make sure my friends knew I didn't share the same views," Jeff Walz told NewsNation in an interview.
Jeff also expressed frustration that the family was not informed about his brother's vice-presidential selection until it became public, while also acknowledging that they have not spoken in years.
Despite calls from some Trump supporters for him to publicly endorse the former president, Jeff Walz has refrained from making any formal declaration of support.
Many users have drawn parallels to other instances of family members opposing politicians, such as Mary Trump's fierce criticism of her estranged uncle, Donald Trump. In 2020, Mary Trump, published Too Much and Never Enough, a tell-all book about the former president and his family. In it, she says he is "utterly incapable of leading this country and it's dangerous to allow him to do so."
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Update 9/4/24 2:30 p.m. ET: This story has been updated with new information.
Family Ties, Political Divisions
The photo has sparked heated discussions online, with many wondering about the nature of the family's support for Trump and whether it's a genuine endorsement or a mere expression of personal views. Some have pointed out that while the family members may be related to the governor, their political stance does not necessarily reflect the sentiments of Walz himself.
A Family's Tale of Disagreement
The Walz family's political differences are not unique, but the situation has amplified the ongoing debate about family dynamics and political allegiances, particularly in the face of a contentious presidential election. It remains to be seen whether these diverging views will have any impact on the upcoming campaign, but the episode highlights the complex relationship between family and politics, and the ways in which personal beliefs can often diverge from the views of loved ones.
