Tim Walz Family Member Attends JD Vance Watch Party During VP Debate

One of Tim Walz’s family members went to a JD Vance watch party to “cheer him on” during the vice-presidential debate, according to Donald Trump Jr.
Both candidates went head-to-head in a CBS News debate in New York City on Tuesday night, in what was the last such event both campaigns have agreed to before the election in November.
Donald Trump Jr. said one of Tim Walz’s relatives had chosen to support Vance and posted a photo of a man in a shirt that read “Walz for Trump” while standing next to a cardboard cutout of the former president.
Newsweek cannot verify the image and has contacted representatives of Vance and Tim Walz via email outside of working hours, for comment.
It comes after Tim Walz’s estranged brother Jeff Walz made headlines last month for writing Facebook posts about his brother, first reported by The New York Post, saying he is “100 percent opposed” to Tim Walz’s ideology. He added: “Not the type of character you want making decisions about your future.”
He has since said “it wasn’t (his) intent…to put something out there to influence the general public,” but he has insisted that what he had written was true.
Jeff Walz is reportedly one of several family members who have come out against the Minnesota governor.
Earlier this month, Cornhusker State Republican Charles W. Herbster shared a photo of eight folks in T-shirts that said “Nebraska Walz’s for Trump” with the caption: “Tim Walz’s family back in Nebraska wants you to know something…”
The picture was eventually reposted by Donald Trump, who wrote on his Truth Social platform: “It is a Great Honor to have your Endorsement. I look forward to meeting you soon!”
Herbster’s spokesperson, Rod Edwards said: “The family in the picture are the descendants of Francis Walz, who was brother to Tim Walz’s grandfather. They’re all Walzes and spouses.”
The descendants of Francis Walz confirmed their relationship to Tim Walz in a text message to the Associated Press.
They said in a written statement: “Shortly after Governor Tim Walz was named the Democrat Party Vice Presidential nominee, our family had a get-together. We had t-shirts made to show support for President Trump and J.D. Vance and took a group picture. That photo was shared with friends, and when we were asked for permission to post the picture, we agreed.”
Tuesday’s debate took place in the midst of a chaotic week both at home and abroad, with the devastation that Hurricane Helene brought to the Southeast and tensions boiling over in the Middle East, between Iran and Israel.
You can see Newsweek’s five key takeaways from the debate here.