During Tuesday night’s vice presidential debate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz faced tough questions about a fresh scandal just hours before the event. On August 16, 2024, House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY) launched a congressional investigation into Walz’s alleged ties to Chinese government officials. The investigation centers around Walz’s 30 visits to China and his operation of Travel Adventures Inc., a for-profit company that organized trips to China for American children between 1991 and 2003.
Further complicating matters, Walz served as a fellow at Macau Polytechnic University during his time in the U.S. House of Representatives. The Chinese institution describes itself as having a “long held devotion to and love for the motherland,” raising questions about the extent of Walz’s involvement with the Chinese government.
During the debate, Walz was pressed about these trips and his previous claim that he was in China during the Tiananmen Square crackdown in 1989. Earlier on Tuesday, CNN reported that Walz had claimed to be in Hong Kong on June 4, 1989, when the Chinese government violently suppressed pro-democracy protesters. When asked to clarify, Walz fumbled his response.
“All I said on this was I got there that summer and misspoke on this. So I will just, that’s what I’ve said,” Walz replied, struggling to piece together a coherent explanation. He continued, “So I was in Hong Kong and China during the democracy protest went in,” after a tense pause.
Tim Walz is asked why he lied about his trip to China, gives the most cringe-inducing answer of debate season. Seriously watch this unmitigated disaster: pic.twitter.com/eRJapvdxF2
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) October 2, 2024
This stumble came just as reports surfaced that Walz was experiencing serious pre-debate anxiety. According to CNN, Walz confided in senior aides that he feared letting Kamala Harris down with a poor performance. The report indicated that Walz’s nerves stemmed from his concern over debating Senator J.D. Vance, whose formidable debate skills helped secure his 2022 Senate victory in Ohio.
Walz’s unease contrasts sharply with Vance’s confident debate history. In his 2022 campaign, Vance successfully navigated attacks on his past anti-Trump statements, ultimately winning Trump’s endorsement. Vance’s debate performances, including his memorable lines against Democrat Tim Ryan, have established him as a strong contender, adding more pressure on Walz heading into the final stretch before Election Day.
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