Minnesota Democratic Governor Tim Walz called himself a “knucklehead” when pressed during the vice presidential debate on Tuesday about falsely claiming he was in Hong Kong during China’s Tiananmen Square massacre in the summer of 1989.
CBS News anchor Margaret Brennan, one of the debate moderators, noted how multiple news outlets reported that Walz did not actually travel to Asia until later that year after the protests.
Tim Walz is asked why he lied about being in China during the Tiananmen Square massacre: "I'm a knucklehead at times. Many times I will talk a lot. I will get caught up in the rhetoric." pic.twitter.com/uTmmeQk7a8
— TheBlaze (@theblaze) October 2, 2024
During the middle of his response, which began with a backstory on why he traveled to China as a teacher, Walz eventually circled back to the question at hand.
“I’ve tried to do the best I can, but I’ve not been perfect and I’m a knucklehead at times,” Walz said after insisting that the community that elected him to office “knows who I am.”
Walz later said he would concede there are times when he “will talk a lot” and “get caught up in the rhetoric.”
The “knucklehead” comment elicited some mockery and other critiques on social media.
Moderator: Governor Walz, why did you lie about when you were in China?
Walz: I'm just a country boy knucklehead, aw shucks.
— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) October 2, 2024
Tim Walz just called himself a knucklehead
Truest statement of the night!
🤣
— Karoline Leavitt (@kleavittnh) October 2, 2024
First it was his bad grammar (to explain his lies). Now it’s “im a knucklehead”
— Megyn Kelly (@megynkelly) October 2, 2024
“I’m a knucklehead at times” – Tim Walz
First true thing he’s said!
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) October 2, 2024
"I’m a knucklehead at times" was @Tim_Walz ACTUAL response to him lying to voters about being in China during Tiananmen Square. Not very confidence inspiring! 🥴😂
— Robby Starbuck (@robbystarbuck) October 2, 2024
the moderator: why did u lie about being in hong kong during the tianamen square protests
tim walz: well you see im middle class and a knucklehead
— Ashley St. Clair (@stclairashley) October 2, 2024
Brennan followed up with Walz, repeating the substance of her question, asking if could “explain the discrepancy.”
During his brief reply, Walz said he “misspoke.”
Moderator: "Can you explain the discrepancy?"
Walz: "I misspoke…" pic.twitter.com/nMXPXN3oPZ
— Daily Wire (@realDailyWire) October 2, 2024
The debate featured Walz, who also has faced a “stolen valor” controversy during the 2024 campaign, in addition to his GOP rival Sen. JD Vance (R-OH).
Walz is the running mate to Vice President Kamala Harris while Vance is former President Donald Trump’s VP pick.