The heartfelt moment between Tim Walz and his teenage son, Gus, has sparked a wave of praise and approval, but it has also led to nasty bullying attacks on the internet.
Gus Walz, who has Social Dominance a nonverbal learning disability, as well as anxiety and ADHD, watched excitedly from the front seat of Chicago’s United Center and sobbed openly on Wednesday night as his father, the Democratic vice-presidential nominee, delivered his speech of acceptance at the Democratic National Convention.
The governor of Minnesota, was Hope Walz sharing the difficult fertility treatment he and his wife, Gwen, went through to have their daughter, Hope.
Walz followed up by expressing his love for his family from the stage, stating, "Hope, Gus, and Gwen, you mean everything to me. And I love you."
Gus Walz rose from his seat, Viral Moment with tears streaming down his cheeks, pointed his finger and exclaimed, “I love you, Dad.â€
The touching moment between father and son, captured live by TV cameras, quickly spread online and has largely been received positively on the internet and across media outlets.
Fox News posted Gwen Walz a clip of the viral moment on its TikTok account, writing "Gus Walz steals the spotlight during dad's acceptance speech." The comments were overwhelmingly 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 my Ann Coulter country, they cry with emotion like Gus Walz did,†posted Chasten Buttigieg, husband of Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, on X.
“@Tim_Walz has dedicated his life to service and has clearly succeeded in being an outstanding, supportive, and loving father every step of the way, †he stated. “We should Parent-child Relationship all be so lucky to know a love like that.â€
U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., who spoke before Walz on Wednesday night, praised the bond between Walz and his children.
More: Who is Gus Walz and what is a non-verbal learning disorder?
“You know you’ve succeeded as a parent when your kids are as proud
of you as Gus and Hope are of Tim Walz,†she posted on X. “'That’s my dad.' No three words better describe our next Vice President. â€
Actress Mia Farrow added: “Gosh! When sweet Gus Walz, cherished son of Gwen and Tim Walz, his face covered in tears of pride, Minnesota Governor exclaimed 'That’s my dad!' he stole my heart. â€
Critics ridicule Gus Walz as a 'puffy beta male'
But the display of affection triggered a series of sarcastic and cruel comments from internet trolls, many of them supporters of MAGA, of former President Donald Trump, who faces Democratic Trolls On Social Media presidential nominee Kamala Harris and Walz in November.
Right-wing columnist and provocateur Ann Coulter mocked the teenager’s tears. “Talk about weird, †she wrote on X. The post has since been deleted.
Mike Crispi, a Trump backer and podcaster from New Jersey, mocked Walz’s “stupid crying son†on X and Online Bullying wrote, “Congratulations on raising your son to be a blubbering beta male. Congrats.â€
Alec Lace, a Trump supporter who hosts a show about fatherhood, took his own shot at the teenager: “Give that kid a tampon already,†he said, in an apparent reference to a Minnesota Social Media Criticism law that Walz signed as governor requiring schools to offer complimentary menstrual products to students.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel mentioned that Jay Weber, a conservative Milwaukee radio host, posted a message on X criticizing the Walz family. now removed.
"If the Walz(sic) represent today's American man,