Appreciating Walz’s heartfelt reaction, Michelle Obama said, “I was touched to see Gus Walz’s joy when his dad @Tim_Walz took the stage last night.Thankful for you showing us all what real love looks like, Gus.”
“Let’s be a nation that embraces this kind of warmth and vulnerability, instead of making fun or mocking it. We could all use some of Gus’s example in our own lives”, Obama added in her post.
Gus Walz, who has been diagnosed with a nonverbal learning disorder, ADHD, and an anxiety disorder, garnered widespread attention for his emotional display of pride in his father after he was nominated as the Democratic vice presidential candidate.
During Minnesota governor Tim Walz’s keynote address on Wednesday night, as he accepted the Democratic Party’s nomination for vice president, he turned to his family and said, “Hope, Gus and Gwen, you are my entire world, and I love you.”
In response, his son Gus stood up, clapping with unrestrained emotion and pride, repeating, “That’s my dad!” marking what many say was the most emotionally captivating moment from the convention.
From ‘weird’ to ‘stupid crying son’: Republicans mock Walz
While most viewers and political pundits found the moment heartwarming, right-wing media pundit Ann Coulter shared a news article about the teen’s reaction on X, captioning the post: “Talk about weird…” She later deleted the tweet following widespread criticism.
Trump supporter Mike Crispi also mocked Walz’s “stupid crying son” on X and added, “You raised your kid to be a puffy beta male. Congrats.” He too, later deleted his tweet after backlash.