Walz addresses controversy over 'friends with school shooters' comment, says he needs to be ‘more specific’

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Gov. Tim Walz (D-MN) responded to the viral comment he made during the vice presidential debate, where he mentioned becoming “friends with school shooters,” stating that he needed to be “more specific” on the matter. The remark, made while discussing gun violence, caused confusion among viewers. Walz clarified that he was referring to his efforts in engaging with people involved in gun violence prevention, particularly through his visits to parents of Sandy Hook shooting victims and his friendship with gun control advocate David Hogg.

Walz expressed that the topic is deeply personal for him and his wife, both of whom are educators and parents. “This is so personal for us,” he stated, emphasizing his passion for addressing gun violence. Following the debate, the comment prompted criticism from various figures, including former President Donald Trump, who posted an image mocking the statement.

Trump campaign spokesperson Karoline Leavitt called for Walz to clarify his statement, suggesting that if Walz truly considers himself friends with school shooters, he should be disqualified from serving as vice president. In debate viewership news, over 38 million people tuned in to the CBS-hosted debate, a decrease from the nearly 58 million who watched the 2020 vice presidential debate. Early data indicated that Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH) held a slight lead over Walz, though both candidates saw a boost in favorability.