A photo of individuals wearing “Nebraska Walz’s for Trump” shirts has sparked controversy on social media, as they are distant cousins of Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz. The photo, posted by Charles Herbster, a former candidate for governor in Nebraska with Trump’s endorsement, features eight individuals wearing pro-Trump shirts and standing under a “Trump 2024 – Take America Back” sign. Former President Trump reposted the photo on his Truth Social platform, expressing his gratitude for the endorsement and his anticipation of meeting them soon. The individuals in the photo are descendants of Francis Walz, who was Tim Walz’s grandfather’s brother, confirming their relationship to the Minnesota governor.
Following Tim Walz’s nomination as the Democratic Party Vice Presidential nominee, the Nebraska Walz family had a get-together where they showed support for President Trump and J.D. Vance by wearing the pro-Trump shirts and taking a group picture. The family confirmed in a statement that they are related to Governor Tim Walz, with their grandfathers being brothers. Walz’s sister, Sandy Dietrich, of Alliance, Nebraska, acknowledged that the individuals in the photo were from a branch of the family they were not close with. She referred to herself and her family as “Democrats for Tim” and expressed her support for her brother’s candidacy, stating that she knows who she will be voting for.
While Tim Walz’s sister supports his candidacy, his older brother, Jeff Walz, from Freeport, Florida, has expressed opposition to his younger sibling’s ideology and candidacy. Reports have surfaced on Facebook comments made by Jeff Walz, where he indicated that he was opposed to all his brother’s ideologies and considered endorsing Trump. Jeff Walz mentioned that he has not spoken to his brother since their younger brother’s funeral in 2016, aside from a brief phone call last month through their mother. He explained that the stories he referred to in his posts were from their childhood, such as incidents of car sickness and throwing up, but he emphasized that there was nothing more hidden behind them. Jeff Walz stated that he does not intend to influence the political debate and does not want to be involved in any campaign.
Jeff Walz told NewsNation that he does not plan to make further statements on the subject and did not return messages left by the AP. The dynamics within Tim Walz’s family shed light on the complexities and differences that can exist even among relatives when it comes to political beliefs and ideologies. The contrasting views within the family reflect the broader divisions seen across the country as the 2024 Election approaches. Despite the differences in opinion, each member of the Walz family has their own views and choices when it comes to supporting political candidates and campaigns. These divisions underscore the diversity of perspectives and opinions that shape the political landscape in the United States.
