Trump says he won't call Minnesota Gov. Walz after lawmaker shootings because it would 'waste time'
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President Donald Trump said Tuesday that he won’t call Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz after the targeted shootings of two state lawmakers because it would “waste time.”
One of the lawmakers, State Rep. Melissa Hortman, and her husband, Mark, were killed.
Teddy Tschann, a spokesperson for Walz, issued the following statement:
“Governor Walz wishes that President Trump would be a President for all Americans, but this tragedy isn’t about Trump or Walz. It’s about the Hortman family, the Hoffman family, and the State of Minnesota, and the Governor remains focused on helping all three heal.”
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The Republican president spoke to reporters early Tuesday aboard Air Force One as he flew back to Washington after abruptly leaving an international summit in Canada because of rising tensions in the Middle East between Israel and Iran. Asked if he planned to call Walz, Trump said the Democratic governor is “sick” and “whacked out” and said, “I’m not calling him.”
Presidents often reach out to other elected officials at times of tragedy to offer condolences.
Trump added, “The guy doesn’t have a clue. He’s a mess. So, you know, I could be nice and call him, but why waste time?"
Walz was the vice presidential running mate for 2024 Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris, who lost her presidential bid to Trump. During the campaign, Walz often branded Trump and other Republican politicians as “just weird.”
In an interview with MPR News Monday, Walz said he had received calls from former Vice President Harris, former President Joe Biden, Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Vice President JD Vance. Walz said he was grateful for the call with Vance, saying the vice president promised support from the FBI on the call.
