Minnesota Governor Tim Walz’s brother, Jeff Walz, made waves on social media Wednesday after teasing that his brother isn’t the “type of character” America would want as vice president. However, the so-called “scandal” Jeff hinted at turned out to be a lighthearted revelation: Tim Walz suffered from car sickness as a child.
Jeff, a vocal supporter of Donald Trump, has long opposed his brother’s political views. On Facebook, he hinted at “stories” he could tell about his brother, fueling speculation among conservatives eager for any dirt on the Democratic vice presidential candidate. This came after Walz had already faced absurd right-wing criticism over minor incidents, including a joke about not handling spicy food (despite winning a hotdish contest) and an innocuous moment where he petted someone else’s dog at a park.
Politico’s Playbook reported that Jeff Walz’s comments, particularly his mention of “stories I could tell,” sparked excitement in MAGA circles. However, when pressed for details, the elder Walz revealed the most “scandalous” story: Tim would often get carsick on family trips.
“I’ll give you one example,” Jeff told News Nation. “My little brother, when we were younger, we would go on family trips in a station wagon. And the thing was, nobody wanted to sit with him because he had car sickness and would always throw up on us.”
Social media quickly erupted with laughter at the sheer triviality of the supposed scandal. Sam Deutsch, a former Jeopardy! champion, mocked the situation, tweeting, “From the geniuses who brought you ‘Tim Walz pet someone else’s dog’ and ‘Tim Walz lied about his tolerance for spicy foods,’ here comes the latest Tim Walz scandal: He… got car sickness as a kid. LMFAO.”
Journalists and commentators piled on. Writer Mike Elk shared a meme joking that this was the worst “dirt” anyone could find on Walz, while Vanity Fair editor Franklin Leonard sarcastically quipped, “They got him. It’s over. Vice Presidents can’t have had carsickness in their youth. It’s in the Constitution.”
The lighthearted reaction stood in stark contrast to the serious legal issues faced by Trump, who continues to fend off allegations about his campaign finances. While conservatives grasped at straws, it seemed the latest “scandal” around Tim Walz only further cemented the non-controversial nature of his character.