Table of Contents
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz expressed deep concern Thursday that motorists shouting the "R-word" outside his home could escalate to violence, blaming President Donald Trump's recent attacks for inciting the harassment.
Walz, a Democrat seeking a third term in 2026, revealed the incidents during a news conference on the state budget.
He linked the slurs to Trump's social media post calling him "seriously retarded" amid allegations of fraud involving Somali immigrants.
"This creates danger," Walz said. "And I’ll tell you what. In my time on this, I’d never seen this before: People driving by my house and using the R-word in front of people.
"This is shameful. And I have yet to see an elected official, a Republican elected official say, ‘You’re right. That’s shameful. He should not say it,'" he continued. "So look, I’m worried. We know how these things go. They start with taunts, they turn to violence, so deeply concerned."
Trump's Thanksgiving post on Truth Social accused Somali immigrants of funneling taxpayer funds to al-Shabaab and described gangs "roving the streets looking for ‘prey’" while residents hid indoors.
"The seriously retarded Governor of Minnesota, Tim Walz, does nothing, either through fear, incompetence, or both," Trump wrote. "Only REVERSE MIGRATION can fully cure this situation. Other than that, HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL, except those that hate, steal, murder, and destroy everything that America stands for — You won’t be here for long!"
Walz responded on X: "Release the MRI results."
The White House later released Trump's Oct. 10 exam results, with physician Dr. Sean Barbabella calling them "perfectly normal."
Trump doubled down Tuesday, telling reporters: "I see these people ripping it off. And now I’m understanding, and you’re going to look at that, I hear they ripped off, Somalians, ripped off that state for billions of dollars, billions, every year billions of dollars. And they contribute nothing. The welfare is like 88 percent. They contribute nothing."
He reiterated Sunday there was "something wrong" with Walz and suggested Rep. Ilhan Omar, a Somali immigrant representing Minneapolis, should be removed from office.
Walz's son, Gus, has a non-verbal learning disorder, ADHD and an anxiety disorder, as Walz and his wife disclosed to People magazine during the 2024 campaign.
Federal prosecutors have convicted dozens in Minnesota since 2022 for defrauding over $250 million in food aid through nonprofits like Feeding Our Future, with funds spent on luxury items.
The House Oversight Committee is probing up to $1 billion in potential fraud, and the Treasury Department is investigating.
State employees have blamed Walz, but he cited Minnesota's "culture of generosity."
Walz called the rhetoric shameful, with no Republican rebuke yet.
And that's the irony—a race-baiting Democrat now decrying the "R-word." Pot, meet kettle. That's rich.
