Herbster’s Social Media Post
Herbster posted the image on X, formerly known as Twitter, with a caption that implied a political divide within Walz’s extended family.
Source: MakeUseOf
He wrote, “Tim Walz’s family back in Nebraska wants you to know something…” signaling that these relatives were throwing their support behind Trump rather than Walz.
Confirmation of Family Connection
According to a representative for Herbster, the people featured in the image are indeed related to Walz, tracing the connection through his grandfather’s brother, Francis Walz.
Source: Office of Governor Tim Walz & Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan/Wikimedia Commons
Fox News Digital reached out to both the Trump and Harris campaigns for additional comments regarding the photo and the situation.
Family's Distant Relationship with Governor Walz
The family members in the image described their relationship with Governor Walz as distant, stating that they had never met or communicated with him directly.
Source: Stephen Maturen/Getty Images
Speaking with Fox News, one family member who wished to remain anonymous explained that they supported Trump because “he supports our values.” This comment emphasized the ideological differences between the extended family and Governor Walz.
Trump’s Response to the Image
Former President Trump also took notice of the viral image and responded on his own social media platform, Truth Social. In his response, Trump hinted that he might “meet” with Jeff Walz, the older brother of Governor Tim Walz.
Source: Scott Olson/Getty Images
Jeff Walz has been outspoken about his differing political views compared to his brother, especially regarding the vice-presidential candidacy. His statements have further highlighted the division within the family.
Jeff Walz's Public Opposition
In a Facebook message posted last Friday, Jeff Walz made his stance clear, stating, “I’m 100% opposed to all his ideology,” referring to his brother’s political views. He expressed his frustration with how his family was informed about Tim Walz’s selection as Kamala Harris’s running mate.
Source: Office of Governor Tim Walz & Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan/Wikimedia Commons
Jeff wrote, “My family wasn’t given any notice that [sic] he was selected and denied security the days after,” pointing to a lack of communication following the announcement.
Trump Supporters Urge Jeff Walz to Take Action
Following Jeff Walz’s social media activity, Trump supporters quickly joined the conversation.
Source: Mario Tama/Getty Images
One supporter commented on Jeff’s post, urging him to take action: “Help MAGA… Get on stage with President Trump and endorse him…; Help save this country…”
Jeff’s Consideration of Public Endorsement
Jeff Walz responded, indicating he had been considering such a move. “I’ve thought hard about doing something like that!” he wrote.
Source: Rebecca Noble/Getty Images
“I’m torn between that and just keeping my family out of it,” showing his internal conflict over making a public endorsement.
The Walz Family Background
Governor Tim Walz comes from a family with three siblings: Jeff Walz, Craig Walz, and Sandy Dietrich. Jeff, who grew up in rural Nebraska, later moved to the East Coast and now resides in Florida.
Source: World Atlas
Despite the physical distance from his brother, Jeff has been outspoken about his disagreements, particularly with regard to Tim’s role as a vice-presidential candidate.
Family’s Discovery of Tim’s Nomination
In another post, Jeff Walz revealed how he and the rest of the family found out about Tim being selected as Kamala Harris’s running mate. “The only thing I took exception to, and I will stand behind this 100%, was that we felt bad that we found out about his being picked as the vice-presidential candidate from the radio,” he wrote.
Source: Office of Governor Tim Walz & Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan/Wikimedia Commons
This public admission highlighted the lack of direct communication from Tim Walz to his family during such a significant political moment.
Concerns Over Family Security
Jeff also voiced concerns about the safety and security of the family after Tim Walz was announced as a vice-presidential candidate.
Source: Lorie Shaull/Wikimedia Commons
He shared that his family expected some form of heads-up or additional security, saying, “We felt like we probably should have been given a heads-up and some type of security, at least for a short time, because I guess that is a big thing.”
Public Interest in the Walz Family Dynamic
As this image and Jeff Walz’s comments continue to gain traction online, the relationship between Governor Tim Walz and his extended family has become a point of public interest.
Source: Leif Christoph Gottwald/Unsplash
This unexpected family divide has added an additional layer of complexity to the political narrative surrounding the upcoming election. The dynamic between Tim Walz and his distant relatives has sparked discussions about family loyalty and political allegiances during high-stakes election seasons.
