CHICAGO – An emotional, unscripted moment between Tim Walz and his 17-year-old son, Gus, has sparked a wave of admiration and support but also triggered a torrent of online bullying.
Gus Walz, who has a nonverbal learning disorder, anxiety, and ADHD, sat eagerly in the front row of Chicago’s United Center, tearfully watching as his father, the Democratic vice-presidential nominee, delivered his acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention on Wednesday night.
During the speech, the Minnesota governor shared the challenges he and his wife, Gwen, faced with fertility treatments while trying to conceive their daughter, Hope.
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When reached for comment, the Walz campaign declined to respond. However, Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung released a statement to *USA TODAY* saying the campaign "is focused on holding Walz and Harris accountable for their dangerously liberal policies that are bad for America." The statement did not address the bullying posts.
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Tim Walz continued by sharing his love for his family from the stage, declaring, "Hope, Gus, and Gwen, you are my entire world. And I love you."
Overcome with emotion, Gus Walz leapt from his seat, tears streaming down his face. He pointed his finger and shouted, "I love you, Dad," quickly following with, "That's my dad!"
The heartfelt exchange between father and son, caught live on camera, quickly went viral and was met with widespread admiration on the internet and across various media outlets.
Fox News posted a clip of the emotional moment on its TikTok page with the caption, "Gus Walz steals the show during dad's acceptance speech." The comments were overwhelmingly positive.
Chasten Buttigieg, husband of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, expressed his admiration on X, saying, "I hope to inspire my kids so much that when they see me speak of the dreams and passion I have for my country, they are moved to tears like Gus Walz was."
He continued, "@Tim_Walz has dedicated his life to service and has clearly excelled at being an excellent, supportive, and loving father every step of the way. We should all be so lucky to know a love like that."
U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., who spoke just before Tim Walz on Wednesday night, also praised the bond between Walz and his children.
She wrote on X, "You know you’ve done well as a parent when your kids are as proud of you as Gus and Hope are of Tim Walz. 'That’s my dad.' No three words better describe our next Vice President."
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Actress Mia Farrow also shared her admiration, saying, "Gosh! When young Gus Walz, adorable son of Gwen and Tim Walz, his face streaming with tears of pride, shouted ‘That’s my dad,’ he won my heart."
However, the emotional moment also sparked a wave of negative reactions on social media, particularly from supporters of former President Donald Trump, who is facing off against Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris and Tim Walz in the upcoming November election.
Conservative columnist and provocateur Ann Coulter mocked Gus's tears, writing on X, "Talk about weird." The post has since been deleted.
Trump supporter and podcaster Mike Crispi from New Jersey criticized Gus, referring to him as a "stupid crying son" on X and adding, "You raised your kid to be a puffy beta male. Congrats."
Alec Lace, another Trump supporter who hosts a podcast about fatherhood, made a crude comment, saying, "Get that kid a tampon already," a remark seemingly referencing a Minnesota state law that Walz, as governor, signed requiring schools to provide free menstrual supplies to students.
The *Milwaukee Journal Sentinel* reported that Jay Weber, a conservative Milwaukee radio host, made a now-deleted post on X criticizing the Walz family.
"If the Walzs (sic) represent today's American man, this country is screwed: 'Meet my son, Gus. He's a blubbering b---- boy. His mother and I are very proud,'" Weber wrote.
After deleting the post, Weber apologized, claiming he was unaware that Gus had a learning disability.
Trump faced criticism in 2015 after appearing to mock a New York Times reporter with a disability. Critics argued that Trump's actions could encourage others to engage in similar behavior.