Does Tim Walz's brother Jeff support Donald Trump? What viral posts hint at

New Delhi,UPDATED: Aug 31, 2024 14:19 IST

Is the brother of Kamala Harris’s running mate Tim Walz a supporter of Republican presidential pick Donald Trump? Speculation about Jeff Walz’s political leanings took social media by storm after far-right activist Laura Loomer posted a photograph, purportedly of a donation slip, which she claims shows that Jeff Walz donated to Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign.

While the authenticity of this photograph has not been verified, the post has since gone viral, sparking heated debate.

Loomer’s post on X (formerly Twitter) read, "Tim Walz @GovTimWalz and @KamalaHarris are such a bad Presidential ticket that Walz's own BROTHER is supporting Donald Trump instead."

Sharing “evidence”, she continued, "According to these FEC records, Jeff Walz, the brother of VP candidate Tim Walz, donated to President Trump's presidential campaign in 2016. Jeff Walz lives in Florida. Perhaps I will go interview and ask him about his support for Donald Trump."

The controversy deepened as Loomer shared more alleged details about Jeff Walz’s political stance. She claimed that on March 30, 2023, the same day Trump was indicted for business fraud, Jeff Walz referred to the US under the Biden administration as a “third world banana republic” on his Facebook page.

Loomer wrote, “Jeff Walz, the brother of Democrat Vice Presidential candidate Tim Walz, donated to President Trump’s 2016 Presidential campaign and said ‘We’ve just become a third world banana republic’ on his Facebook page... Now she’s running for President with Jeff’s brother.”

In the wake of Loomer's posts, Jeff Walz made statements on Facebook distancing himself from his brother's political ideologies. In a comment, he expressed his disapproval, saying, "The stories I could tell. Not the type of character you want making decisions about your future."

He also revealed a strained relationship with his brother, stating, "Haven't spoke to him in 8 years. I'm 100% opposed to all his ideology."

Jeff Walz alleged that after Tim Walz was tapped as Kamala Harris’s running mate, his family was not informed or provided with any security. He also said he had "thought about" joining forces with Trump and publicly endorsing his re-election bid.

Not much is known about Tim Walz’s brother Jeff, except that he was born in Nebraska and currently lives in Florida. The brothers have two other siblings: a sister named Sandy who lives in Alliance, Nebraska, and a brother named Craig who died in a camping accident in 2016

On the other hand, the person who put Jeff Walz in the spotlight is quite a notorious figure.

Who is Laura Loomer?

A far-right internet personality and activist from Florida, Laura Loomer is known for her inflammatory rhetoric. She has previously described herself as a “proud Islamophobe,” a label that has resulted in bans from major social media platforms, though her X account was reinstated after Elon Musk took control of the platform.

Loomer has a history of making incendiary comments, from calling Muslims “savages” to describing Islam as a “cancer.” She has also promoted conspiracy theories about various mass shootings. Amid these controversies, Loomer has remained a vocal supporter of Donald Trump, who has publicly praised her as “terrific” and “very special.”

In April 2023, The New York Times reported that Trump considered giving Loomer a role in his campaign, though this did not materialize. Nevertheless, she continues to be an outspoken figure within far-right circles and has attacked Kamala Harris, questioning whether she is “Black or Indian” in a racially charged critique.