Minnesota Governor Tim Walz finds himself under fire from Republican commentators, including Fox News anchor Jesse Watters, as personal attacks regarding his masculinity and milkshake preferences surface amidst other political criticisms.
In a peculiar turn of political events, Minnesota Governor – and Vice Presidential hopeful – Tim Walz has found himself the subject of personal attacks from Republican commentators, specifically Fox News anchor Jesse Watters. On 4th September 2024, Watters criticised Walz for consuming a vanilla ice cream milkshake with a straw, labelling the behaviour as unmasculine.
“Women love masculinity, and women do not love Tim Walz, so that should just tell you about how masculine Tim Walz is,” stated Watters during a televised segment, directly linking Walz’s perceived masculinity to his method of drinking a milkshake.
The comments were quickly met with widespread ridicule on social media. Various personalities highlighted the apparent inconsistency in Watters’ critique, pointing out the stereotypical presentation of the TV anchor himself, including teased-up hair and prominent makeup. Critics argued that such personal attacks were baseless and nonsensical.
Despite the trivial nature of these criticisms, Governor Walz remains a popular political figure. Recent polls indicate that Walz enjoys a strong approval rating of 48%, making him the most popular candidate currently in the race. This level of support comes amid an array of Republican-led smear campaigns aiming to discredit him.
The criticism of Walz extends beyond his milkshake preferences. It includes earlier conservative outrage over his legislative actions. One notable example was the GOP’s negative reaction to a law signed by Walz mandating the provision of free menstrual products in public schools. Republicans pejoratively nicknamed him “Tampon Tim,” erroneously claiming that the bill required menstrual products in boys’ restrooms.
Addressing these assertions, reports clarified that the policy did not stipulate placement in any specific restrooms. Rather, it broadly required schools to ensure the availability of essential hygiene products for students, a move largely seen as beneficial to students’ well-being.
Further attempts to undermine Walz’s public image included GOP attacks on his relationship with his wife, Gwen Walz. Figures such as Donald Trump Jr. mocked the couple’s public interaction on the campaign stage, where they shared a handshake. This attack was widely seen as unfounded.
Gwen Walz emerged as a poignant figure at the Democratic National Convention, her emotional and relatable reactions capturing the public’s attention. From shedding tears during Hillary Clinton’s speech to showing support for Dr. Jill Biden and President Obama’s jokes, her presence was noted as sincere and impactful.
Meanwhile, JD Vance, an Ohio Senator, continues to struggle with his public image. A newly surfaced video from October 2021, where Vance disparages childless women by calling them “valueless”, has further detracted from his favourability, which stands at 36%. Vance’s comments have contributed to a broader perception of his stance on women’s issues as regressive and unpopular among likely voters.
As the political landscape heats up, these attacks and counter-narratives continue to shape public perception. Yet, despite continued efforts to malign him, Tim Walz’s popularity appears to remain steadfast among the electorate.
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