Veteran conservative commentator Ann Coulter explained her reasoning for deleting a tweet calling Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz’s neurodiverse son “weird”—but didn’t apologize for the brazen comments. Her remark notably prompted backlash from across the aisle as both prominent liberals and conservatives defended the proud son, who openly sobbed as his father accepted the Democrats’ vice presidential nomination in a speech Wednesday.
Videos of Gus Walz, the 17-year-old son of Kamala Harris’ running mate, went viral after he was seen sobbing and exclaiming “that’s my dad” during Walz’s address. He was diagnosed with a nonverbal learning disorder, ADHD, and an anxiety disorder, his mother Gwen Walz told People Magazine , but the Walz family has long embraced his condition as his “secret power.” Despite what most saw as a touching moment, some used the opportunity to mock the Minnesota governor’s son.
“Talk about weird,” wrote Coulter in a since-deleted tweet. On Thursday night, Coulter offered an explanation—but not an apology—for deleting the tweet. “I took it down as soon as someone told me he’s austistc [sic], but it’s Democrats who go around calling everyone weird thinking it’s hilariously funny,” Coulter wrote in another post.
She also said she was on vacation and did not feel public pressure to do so. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz stands onstage with his wife Gwen, his son Gus and his daughter Hope on Day 3 of the Democratic National C.