Gov. Tim Walz said the country is being stolen “by fascists and Nazis,” according to a recording obtained by Alpha News.
Sen. Nate Wesenberg, R-Little Falls, provided the recording to Alpha News and said the remarks were made during the Minnesota Nurses Association’s (MNA) Day on the Hill Tuesday—an event to spotlight healthcare issues during Minnesota’s 2025 legislative session.
“I see the pundits on TV [saying] ‘what’s wrong with the Democratic Party?’ What’s wrong is our country is being stole by fascists and Nazis,” Walz appears to say, per the recording.
Walz—who has repeatedly championed unity with a campaign message of “One Minnesota”—said in a text message to supporters Wednesday that he won’t make a bid for the open U.S. Senate seat but is still exploring a possible third term as governor.
“If you’re ready to keep fighting for a future where no one is left behind and nobody gets told they don’t belong, stand with me and send a donation to power our work today,” the text said.
Alpha News reached out to Walz’s office for clarity on his comments but did not receive a response.
Pattern of Nazi-related accusations
Walz’s statement adds to a recent pattern of deploying Nazi-related accusations against his political opponents.
Last month during an appearance on MSNBC’s “The Rachel Maddow Show,” Walz claimed Tesla CEO Elon Musk performed a Nazi salute at President Donald Trump’s inauguration, saying, “Of course he did.”
Tim Walz: "They're throwing so much at us that we're fatigued. We spent 3 days debating … that President Musk gave a Nazi salute. Of course he did." pic.twitter.com/uyxUGFNnbq
— Alpha News (@AlphaNewsMN) January 29, 2025
Musk later threatened legal action against Walz over the remarks.
Even the left-leaning Anti-Defamation League dismissed Musk’s arm extension as an “awkward gesture” rather than a deliberate salute.
This is a delicate moment. It’s a new day and yet so many are on edge. Our politics are inflamed, and social media only adds to the anxiety.
It seems that @elonmusk made an awkward gesture in a moment of enthusiasm, not a Nazi salute, but again, we appreciate that people are on…
— ADL (@ADL) January 20, 2025
During his unsuccessful 2024 vice presidential bid alongside Kamala Harris, Walz compared a Trump rally at Madison Square Garden to a Nazi rally and later refused to take back the remark despite widespread criticism.
Gov. Walz refuses to take back his comparison of Trump's MSG rally, which was attended by a Holocaust survivor, to a Nazi rally pic.twitter.com/H2lViasK2W
— Alpha News (@AlphaNewsMN) October 29, 2024
Jenna Gloeb
Jenna Gloeb is an Edward R. Murrow Award-winning journalist, media producer, public speaker, and screenwriter. Most recently, she worked as a reporter and on-air host for CCX Media. Jenna is a Minnesota native and resides in the Twin Cities with her husband, son, daughter, and two dogs.
