A former student who accompanied Democratic vice-presidential nominee Tim Walz on a 1995 trip to China has publicly condemned Walz, describing him as a "Maoist to the core" and raising alarms about his longstanding admiration for the Chinese communist regime. This criticism comes as Walz, now the governor of Minnesota, faces growing scrutiny over his extensive ties to China, a focal point in the 2024 presidential race.
The former student, identified only as Shad, recently shared his concerns in an interview with Alpha News. He claimed that during their trip, Walz frequently expressed admiration for the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and showed a deep fascination with Mao Zedong's ideology. Shad recounted instances where Walz purchased copies of Mao's "Little Red Book," a symbol of communist propaganda, to give as gifts. According to Shad, these actions and Walz’s persistent praise for the regime left a lasting impression, one that Shad believes should disqualify Walz from national office.
Is it just me or is there something seriously weird about this dude… pic.twitter.com/cLvK0fmRGS
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) August 18, 2024
Walz’s connection to China dates back to 1989 when he first visited the country as part of a teaching fellowship associated with Harvard University. This visit coincided with the Tiananmen Square protests, a pro-democracy movement brutally suppressed by the Chinese government. Despite witnessing the aftermath of the massacre, Walz reportedly spoke positively about his time in China upon returning to the United States. He later married his wife, Gwen Whipple, on the fifth anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre and spent their honeymoon in China.
Over the years, Walz has returned to China numerous times, estimating that he has visited the country around 30 times. These trips, initially tied to his work in education, eventually became a subject of concern as Walz transitioned into a political career.
Tim Walz implies he was the head coach of a state championship football team.
He was actually an unpaid assistant coach who couldn’t be an official coach because of his criminal record.pic.twitter.com/Dppn9eXpo4
— Paul A. Szypula 🇺🇸 (@Bubblebathgirl) August 18, 2024
Critics argue that his deep ties to China, particularly his favorable comments and frequent visits, suggest an undue affinity for the communist regime, raising questions about how he would handle U.S.-China relations if elected vice president.
Republican leaders have seized on these concerns, with some going as far as to suggest that Walz's connections to China pose a national security risk. Representative Jim Banks (R-IN) recently called on the Department of Defense to investigate whether Walz held a security clearance during his visits, implying that his frequent trips to a hostile foreign nation while serving in the National Guard could have compromised sensitive information. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) also criticized Walz, claiming that he represents a dangerous example of how Beijing grooms future American leaders.
Despite these allegations, the Harris-Walz campaign has dismissed the attacks as baseless and politically motivated. A spokesperson for the campaign emphasized Walz’s record of supporting human rights in China and criticized Republicans for twisting facts to undermine his candidacy. They highlighted Walz's involvement in the Congressional-Executive Commission on China, where he advocated for democracy and condemned the CCP's abuses.
However, the controversy surrounding Walz’s ties to China shows no signs of abating. As the November election approaches, Republicans are likely to continue hammering on this issue, portraying Walz as soft on China at a time when U.S.-China relations are increasingly tense. For many voters, particularly those concerned about China’s growing global influence, Walz’s past could become a significant liability for the Harris campaign.
