Trump’s Past Praise of Walz Undercuts Recent Criticism
In a 2020 recording of a phone call between President Donald Trump and a group of governors, Trump can be heard lavishing praise on Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz for his handling of the George Floyd protests that engulfed the city that summer.
“I know Gov. Walz is on the phone, and we spoke, and I fully agree with the way he handled it the last couple of days,” Trump says in the call.
“I was very happy with the last couple of days, Tim,” he adds. “You called up big numbers and the big numbers knocked them out so fast it was like bowling pins.”
Later in the call Trump praises Walz as an “excellent guy.”
The audio completely undercuts Trump’s more recent criticism of Walz’s handling of the protests, which he has done regularly since Harris named Walz as her running mate.
A Deeper Dive into the Context
The George Floyd protests were sparked by the death of Floyd, a Black man who was killed by a white police officer in Minneapolis on May 25, 2020. The protests quickly spread to other cities across the country and around the world, and they were often met with violence and looting.
In Minnesota, Walz responded to the protests by activating the National Guard and imposing a curfew in the Twin Cities. He also met with protesters and listened to their concerns.
Trump, on the other hand, took a much more aggressive approach to the protests. He threatened to deploy the military to quell the unrest, and he repeatedly praised law enforcement officers for their handling of the protests.
The contrast between Trump’s and Walz’s handling of the protests was stark. Walz was seen as a calming presence who was trying to de-escalate the situation, while Trump was seen as an inflammatory figure who was only making things worse.
The Significance of Trump’s Praise
Trump’s praise of Walz in the 2020 phone call is significant for several reasons.
First, it shows that Trump was aware of and approved of Walz’s handling of the protests at the time.
Second, it undercuts Trump’s more recent criticism of Walz, which he has made since Walz was named as Harris’s running mate.
Third, it raises questions about Trump’s sincerity when he praises other politicians. If he is willing to praise someone one day and then criticize them the next, it is difficult to know what his true opinions are.
The Impact of Trump’s Criticism
Trump’s criticism of Walz has had a negative impact on the governor’s reputation. A recent poll found that only 38% of Minnesotans approve of Walz’s job performance.
Trump’s criticism has also made it more difficult for Walz to do his job. He has been forced to spend time and energy defending himself from Trump’s attacks, which has taken away from his ability to focus on the needs of Minnesotans.
Conclusion
Trump’s praise of Walz in the 2020 phone call is a reminder that the former president is not always truthful or consistent in his statements. It is also a reminder that Trump’s criticism of political opponents should be taken with a grain of salt.
Walz has been a strong and effective leader during a difficult time for Minnesota. He deserves our support, not the attacks of a former president who is more interested in playing politics than in helping the people of this country.
