Tim Walz’s Son, Gus Walz, Goes Viral With Tearful Reaction As Father Accepts VP Nomination: ‘That’s My Dad!’

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz accepted the Democratic vice presidential nomination Wednesday night at the party’s national convention, delivering an emotional speech that resonated deeply with his family in the audience.

Walz’s 17-year-old son, Gus, was visibly moved during the address, shedding tears and applauding alongside his mother, Gwen, who also appeared emotional. Gus could be seen repeatedly saying, “That’s my dad!” The governor’s 23-year-old daughter, Hope, was also present.

In his speech, Walz touched on personal struggles, including fertility issues he and his wife faced while trying to conceive Hope. He also acknowledged his family’s importance, stating, “Hope, Gus and Gwen, you are my entire world, and I love you.”

The governor has been open about his son’s neurodevelopmental challenges, including a non-verbal learning disorder, ADHD and anxiety.

Walz’s nomination comes amid ongoing debates over reproductive rights and fertility treatments. He criticized recent Republican opposition to legislation that would have protected access to in vitro fertilization (IVF) nationwide.

The Minnesota governor positioned himself as a working-class Midwesterner with a background in public education and military service. He emphasized his 24-year tenure in the National Guard and experience as a high school teacher and football coach.

Addressing key Democratic themes, Walz spoke out against book bans in schools and characterized the Republican ticket as “weird.”

“We’re all here tonight for one beautiful, simple, reason: We love this country,” Walz told the enthusiastic crowd.

Concluding his speech with a football analogy, Walz rallied supporters: “It’s the fourth quarter, we’re down a field goal. But we’re on offense and we’ve got the ball.”

In response, the GOP VP candidate appeared on Fox News, criticizing Walz’s defense of the current administration. “It’s one thing to promise things in the future, but when you defend the sitting vice president of the United States, Day One of her administration isn’t six months from now,” Vance said. “Day One of her administration was 1,300 days ago, and she hasn’t done anything.”