Walz VP selection spurs flurry of misinformation online
Vice President Kamala Harris announced Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate at an Aug. 6 rally in Philadelphia, sparking a flurry of online discussion about Walz and his background.
It wasn't all accurate.
Walz, formerly unknown by a majority of Americans, is now preparing to take the stage as the keynote speaker for tonight's Democratic National Convention. Here's a roundup of fact checks about Walz from the USA TODAY Fact-Check team.
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Claim: Tim Walz has $138 million net worth, daughter with $82,000 in forgiven student loans
Our rating: False
The claims are fabrications, according to the publisher of the satirical Facebook account where they originated. Walz's actual net worth is far lower.
Full fact check: Tim Walz has $138 million net worth? No, that started as satire
Claim: Walz 'let Minnesota burn' during 2020 protests
This claim oversimplifies Walz's reaction to the 2020 protests. After witnessing the escalating violence in Minneapolis, Walz discussed the activation of the National Guard with the city's mayor, calling on the Guard three days after the murder of George Floyd. As the protests grew more violent, Walz increased the number of mobilized Guardsmen.
Full fact check explainer: GOP critics say Tim Walz 'let Minnesota burn' in 2020 protests. Here's what happened
Claim: Tim Walz signed a bill redefining ‘sexual orientation’ to include pedophiles
Our rating: False
The bill Walz signed into law does no such thing. The state's definition of sexual orientation does not include pedophilia.
Full fact check: No, Tim Walz did not sign bill including pedophilia as 'sexual orientation'
Claim: Walz received nine different military awards and Vance only had two
Our rating: Partly false
The list for Walz is correct, but the post understates the number of awards and medals Vance earned during his military career.
Full fact check: JD Vance's military achievements misrepresented in viral post
Claim: Tim Walz said he wanted to invest in a ladder factory to help migrants get over border wall
Our rating: False
The full context of this clip shows Walz's ladder factory reference was part of an argument that a wall is an ineffective way to secure a border. Walz didn't reference or say he supports helping anyone enter the U.S. illegally.
Full fact check: Walz ladder factory comment was argument border wall is ineffective
Claim: Tim Walz lied about coaching high school football team to state championship
Our rating: False
Walz was a coach for a Minnesota high school football team when it won a state championship in 1999, according to local news reporting.
Full fact check: Tim Walz coached for high school football team that won state championship
Claim: Biden opposing SAVE Act is 'cheating'; Walz is allowing 'illegals' to vote in Minnesota
Our rating: False
The post misrepresents two legislative actions. Noncitizens aren't allowed to vote, and vetoing the SAVE bill would not change that or violate any laws to constitute "cheating." Minnesota's automatic voter registration bill, signed by Gov. Tim Walz, the Democratic vice-presidential nominee, does not allow noncitizens of any status to vote in state or federal elections.
Full fact check: Walz, Biden actions don't allow noncitizens to vote
Claim: Image shows Kamala Harris and Tim Walz posing with a communist sign
Our rating: Altered
Images and videos from the event pictured show the background included a sign that said, “Kamala and the Coach,” not "Revolutionary Communists of America."
Full fact check: Harris and Walz posing with a communist sign? No, image is altered
Claim: 'No one' attended Aug. 7 Harris and Walz rally in Michigan
Our rating: False
Images and videos from the Aug. 7 event show a large crowd was present to greet Harris and Walz.
Full fact check: Images and videos show thousands attended Harris rally in Michigan
Claim: Image shows Fox Business graphic about Tim Walz's 'communist agenda'
Our rating: Altered
The image doesn't show a real graphic broadcast on Fox Business, a spokesperson said. It was created as satire and is now being misrepresented as being authentic.
Full fact check: No, Fox Business didn't air graphic about Tim Walz's 'communist agenda'
Claim: Peggy Flanagan replaced Tim Walz as Minnesota governor after VP selection
Our rating: False
Walz has not stepped down as Minnesota's governor, and Flanagan has not become the state's governor. Walz is also not required to leave office to run with Harris in the 2024 presidential election.
Full fact check: Gov. Walz does not need to resign after VP selection
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Fact-checking false and misleading claims about Tim Walz
