President Donald Trump says he will not be calling Gov. Tim Walz in the wake of the targeted shootings of two state lawmakers and their spouses, saying the Democratic governor is “whacked out,” and “a mess.”
“I don’t really call him. He’s, look—he appointed this guy to a position,” Trump told reporters Tuesday, referring to shooter Vance Boelter’s prior appointment in the state. “I think the governor of Minnesota is so whacked out. I’m not calling him. Why would I call him?”
“I could call him and say, ‘Hi, how you doing?’” Trump continued. “The guy doesn’t have a clue. He’s a, he’s a mess. So, you know, I could be nice and call him but why waste time?”
The president’s remarks were made during a press briefing aboard Air Force One as he returned from an international G-7 summit in Canada, which he left early due to the escalating crisis between Israel and Iran.
Trump’s comments come just days after House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, were gunned down in their home. Sen. John Hoffman and his wife were also shot, but survived with serious injuries.
The suspected shooter, Vance Boelter, was captured Sunday and is facing federal murder and attempted murder charges.
Walz did not expect Trump call, thanks Vance for ‘delivering’
Walz said he wasn’t surprised by Trump’s silence, telling Minnesota Public Radio, “I think I understand where that’s at”—a comment that appeared to acknowledge the political reality that a call from Trump was never likely, given Walz’s past inflammatory remarks.
In just the past 30 days, Walz has told Democrats to “bully the s–t out of [Trump],” urged them to “be a little meaner,” and compared Trump’s immigration enforcement to a “modern-day Gestapo.”
Walz has also called Trump a “wannabe dictator,” “a tyrant,” “a weak, cruel man,” and an “existential threat.”
Walz used his State of the State address in April to attack Trump, saying he is a “man who wants to be king.” In February, he was caught on tape saying the country is being stolen “by fascists and Nazis.”
Trump is “fully headed towards authoritarianism,” Walz said in an interview last month.
Walz, however, said he was “grateful” to receive a call from Vice President JD Vance.
“I’m always open to, you know, people expressing gratitude. Vice President Vance assured us, and he delivered, that the FBI would be there as partners with us to get it done,” Walz said. “That was what needed to be done.”
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.
