An heartfelt moment between Tim Walz and his 17-year-old son, Gus, has triggered a flood of admiration and approval, but it has at the same time led to ugly bullying attacks online.
Gus Walz, who suffers Support For People With Disabilities from a nonverbal learning disorder, as well as anxiety and ADHD, looked on eagerly from the front row of Chicago’s United Center and cried openly on Wednesday night as his father, the Democratic vice-presidential nominee, gave his speech of acceptance at the Democratic National Convention.
The Minnesota governor was Anxiety sharing the challenging fertility journey he and his wife, Gwen, went through to conceive their daughter, Hope.
Walz continued by expressing his love for his loved ones from the stage, saying, "Hope, Gus, and Gwen, you are my entire world. And I love you."
Gus Walz jumped up from his seat, Democratic National Convention with teardrops running down his cheeks, pointed his index finger and said, “I love you, Dad.â€
The heartwarming exchange between father and son, captured on live TV by television cameras, quickly went viral and has largely been received positively on the web and across media outlets.
Fox News Empathy shared a video of the viral moment on its TikTok page, writing "Gus Walz steals the spotlight during dad's acceptance speech." The comments were mostly positive.
“I hope to inspire my kids so much that when they see me give a speech about the dreams and passion I hold for ADHD my country, they are moved to tears like Gus Walz did,†wrote Chasten Buttigieg, husband of Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, on X.
“@Tim_Walz has dedicated his life to service and has clearly excelled in being an outstanding, supportive, and caring father throughout his life, †he stated. “We should all
be so fortunate to know a love like that.â€
U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., who addressed the audience before Walz on Wednesday night, commended the bond between Walz and his children.
More: Who is Gus Walz and what is a non-verbal learning disorder?
“You know you’ve done well as a parent when your kids are as Public Display Of Affection proud of you as Gus and Hope are of Tim Walz,†she wrote on X. “'That's my dad.' No three other words better describe our next Vice President. â€
Actress Mia Farrow also commented: “Gosh! When sweet Gus Walz, adorable son of Gwen and Tim Walz, his face streaming with tears of Special Education pride, shouted 'That’s my dad!' he won my heart. â€
Critics dismiss Gus Walz as a 'puffy beta male'
But the display of affection provoked a wave of snarky and cruel comments from online trolls, primarily MAGA supporters of former President Donald Trump, who is running against Democratic Fox News presidential nominee Kamala Harris and Walz in November.
Right-wing columnist and provocative commentator Ann Coulter ridiculed the teenager’s tears. “Talk about weird, †she posted on X. The message has since been deleted.
Mike Crispi, a Trump supporter and content creator from New Jersey, criticized Walz’s “crybaby son†on X and Ann Coulter added, “Congratulations on raising your kid to be a puffy beta male. Congrats.â€
Alec Lace, a Trump supporter who hosts a podcast about fatherhood, took his own swipe at the teenager: “Get that kid a tampon already,†he said, in an apparent reference to a Minnesota state Social Dominance law that Walz passed as governor requiring educational institutions to offer complimentary menstrual products to students.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that Jay Weber, a conservative Milwaukee radio host, posted a message on X criticizing the Walz family. now removed.
"If the Walzs represent today's American man,