Tim Walz Calls On Democrats To ‘Bully’ Trump, ‘Be A Little Meaner’

Democratic Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who was the vice presidential candidate alongside former Vice President Kamala Harris on the ticket that lost to President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, is urging his party to adopt a more aggressive stance.

He made these remarks during an event in South Carolina, where he aimed to invigorate the Democratic base, as reported by The New York Post.

“Perhaps it is time for us to be a bit meaner, a little more fierce,” the Democrat stated, eliciting cheers from the audience.

“What troubles a teacher the most is witnessing a bully,” he continued. “When it involves a child, you engage with them and explain why bullying is unacceptable.”

“However, when it involves an adult such as Donald Trump, one must retaliate vigorously against him,” he stated.

“Donald represents the existential threat we anticipated,” he remarked during his address, adding that for the Democrats, “the upcoming years are going to be quite challenging.”

“We possess the courage, and we must utilize it to confront the bullies and the avarice,” he asserted.

He continued, after urging his party to begin confronting the president, to advocate for “joy” once more, similar to what he and Harris expressed during the 2024 presidential campaign.

“Darn it, we ought to be able to enjoy ourselves and experience joy,” he remarked, seemingly unaware that he had just suggested his party should adopt a “meaner” approach.

He also made light of what the president refers to as his “big, beautiful bill.”

“In my previous role as a fourth-grade teacher, I was going to say it sounded like something a fourth grader would create, but that would be unfair to my fourth graders,” the governor of Minnesota stated.

He further commended his former campaign partner, Harris, eliciting applause from the audience.

“Darn it, I would love to turn on the television and see her instead of the daily news we are presented with,” he expressed, before noting that she is “well-accomplished.”

This visit to South Carolina is part of a nationwide tour that the Minnesota governor is undertaking as he contemplates a presidential run in 2028.

His journey aligns with the concluding phase of Minnesota’s legislative session, during which lawmakers are striving to finalize the state budget. When questioned on Thursday regarding the timing, Walz informed reporters that he anticipates budget discussions to conclude by Saturday.

“We will complete our tasks,” Walz remarked, indicating that any further actions would probably be postponed until early to mid-next week. “Much of the work to be accomplished in the coming days will involve the professional staff revising the bills.”

Although Walz has not dismissed the possibility of a presidential run in 2028, he is largely anticipated to pursue a third term as governor next year, despite not having made a formal declaration yet.

South Carolina and California play crucial roles in the Democratic presidential nomination process. South Carolina initiated the 2024 Democratic primary schedule, while California provides the highest number of delegates at the party’s national convention, as reported by the outlet.

Both the California and South Carolina Democratic Parties emphasized Walz’s forthcoming visit in announcements made earlier this month.

“A nationally esteemed, bold, and compassionate leader, Governor Walz connects profoundly with Democrats here in South Carolina. We are excited to host him in the Palmetto State,” the South Carolina Democratic Party shared on social media.

U.S. Representative Jim Clyburn of South Carolina has invited Governor Tim Walz to address the state convention on Saturday. Walz is also set to participate in Clyburn’s annual fish fry on Friday evening. Maryland Governor Wes Moore, another potential candidate for the 2028 presidential election, will speak to South Carolina Democrats that same evening.

In the meantime, a different report from March indicated that Harris and Walz have not communicated much since they were decisively defeated by President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance in November.