Walz ‘Misspoke’ on Military Experience in 2018 Video, Harris Campaign Says
Summary from the AllSides News Team
Minnesota Governor and Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz "misspoke" in a 2018 video about his handling of weapons “in war,” a campaign spokesperson said on Friday.
For Context: The Harris campaign had been circulating the video last week, in which Walz discussed gun rights, saying, “We can make sure those weapons of war, that I carried in war, are only carried in war.” The clarification comes after Republican vice presidential candidate J.D. Vance criticized Walz for “lying” about his military record, and the National Guard disputed his military biography.
Key Quote: The spokesperson said, “In making the case for why weapons of war should never be on our streets or in our classrooms, the Governor misspoke. He did handle weapons of war and believes strongly that only military members trained to carry those deadly weapons should have access to them, unlike Donald Trump and JD Vance who prioritize the gun lobby over our children.”
How The Media Covered It: Several outlets on the left, like NBC News (Lean Left bias), CNN (Lean Left bias), and The Washington Post Fact Check (Lean Left bias) reported receiving a statement from the campaign spokesperson, though none of the outlets named the spokesperson. Outlets on the right were more reactionary, citing coverage from outlets on the left as their source. Townhall (Right bias) published an opinion saying NBC News “pretty much” confirmed Walz lied about his military service. Fox News (Right bias) highlighted that The Washington Post called Walz’s original claim “sloppy and false.”
Featured Coverage of this Story
From the Left
Tim Walz ‘misspoke’ when he discussed using weapons ‘in war,’ campaign says![AllSides Media Bias Rating: Lean Left AllSides Media Bias Rating: Lean Left](https://www.allsides.com/sites/default/files/bias-leaning-left.png)
![](https://www.allsides.com/sites/default/files/styles/feature_image_300x200/public/240809-tim-walz-wm-246p-b9eeda.jpg?itok=3DqITVRN)
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz "misspoke" in a 2018 video circulated by the Harris campaign earlier this week that included the vice presidential candidate talking about his handling of weapons "in war," a campaign spokesperson said Friday.
The clarification comes after Republicans, led by veteran and vice presidential candidate JD Vance, have attacked Walz over his military record.
“Governor Walz would never insult or undermine any American’s service to this country — in fact, he thanks Senator Vance for putting his life on the line for our country. It’s the American way,"...
From the Center
Harris campaign: Walz ‘misspoke’ on handling weapons ‘in war’![AllSides Media Bias Rating: Center AllSides Media Bias Rating: Center](https://www.allsides.com/sites/default/files/bias-center.png)
Vice President Harris’s campaign has pushed back on criticism of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz’s military background, saying the vice-presidential nominee “misspoke” in a video pushing for gun control when saying he used combat weapons during his time in the National Guard.
“Governor Walz would never insult or undermine any American’s service to this country — in fact, he thanks Senator Vance for putting his life on the line for our country,” a Harris-Walz campaign spokesperson said in a statement emailed to The Hill.
“It’s the American way,” the spokesperson continued. “In making...
From the Right
Tim Walz 'misspoke' about using weapons ‘in war,' Harris campaign says: report![AllSides Media Bias Rating: Right AllSides Media Bias Rating: Right](https://www.allsides.com/sites/default/files/bias-right.png)
![](https://www.allsides.com/sites/default/files/styles/feature_image_300x200/public/tim-walz.jpg?itok=5zEG3pbp)
Democratic vice presidential candidate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, whose military service has come under heavy scrutiny, "misspoke" in a 2018 video where he is heard talking about his handling of weapons "in war," a Harris campaign spokesperson said Friday.
"Governor Walz would never insult or undermine any American’s service to this country — in fact, he thanks Senator Vance for putting his life on the line for our country. It’s the American way," the Harris campaign spokesperson said in a statement to NBC News.
"In making the case for why weapons of...
AllSides Picks
![](https://www.allsides.com/sites/default/files/styles/feature_image_300x200/public/aerial-still-springfield-city-clark-89334036.jpg?itok=Fvbqc8mP)
September 9th, 2024
![](https://www.allsides.com/sites/default/files/styles/feature_image_300x200/public/gettyimages-1240934551.jpg?itok=Raw-Tq45)
September 8th, 2024
![](https://www.allsides.com/sites/default/files/styles/feature_image_300x200/public/GettyImages-2165091491-750x375.jpg?itok=vmKf7pQ9)
September 6th, 2024
![](https://www.allsides.com/sites/default/files/styles/feature_image_300x200/public/download%20%2817%29_1.webp?itok=ITeJUHXi)
September 5th, 2024
More News about Facts and Fact Checking from the Left, Center and Right
From the Left
From the Center
From the Right
![AllSides Media Bias Rating: Lean Left AllSides Media Bias Rating: Lean Left](https://www.allsides.com/sites/default/files/bias-leaning-left.png)
![AllSides Media Bias Rating: Lean Left AllSides Media Bias Rating: Lean Left](https://www.allsides.com/sites/default/files/bias-leaning-left.png)
![AllSides Media Bias Rating: Lean Left AllSides Media Bias Rating: Lean Left](https://www.allsides.com/sites/default/files/bias-leaning-left.png)
![](https://www.allsides.com/sites/default/files/styles/news-thumb/public/GettyImages-1246013647.jpg?itok=Sj6VrKwO)
![AllSides Media Bias Rating: Center AllSides Media Bias Rating: Center](https://www.allsides.com/sites/default/files/bias-center.png)
![AllSides Media Bias Rating: Center AllSides Media Bias Rating: Center](https://www.allsides.com/sites/default/files/bias-center.png)
![AllSides Media Bias Rating: Center AllSides Media Bias Rating: Center](https://www.allsides.com/sites/default/files/bias-center.png)
![AllSides Media Bias Rating: Center AllSides Media Bias Rating: Center](https://www.allsides.com/sites/default/files/bias-center.png)
![AllSides Media Bias Rating: Center AllSides Media Bias Rating: Center](https://www.allsides.com/sites/default/files/bias-center.png)
![AllSides Media Bias Rating: Right AllSides Media Bias Rating: Right](https://www.allsides.com/sites/default/files/bias-right.png)
![AllSides Media Bias Rating: Right AllSides Media Bias Rating: Right](https://www.allsides.com/sites/default/files/bias-right.png)
![AllSides Media Bias Rating: Right AllSides Media Bias Rating: Right](https://www.allsides.com/sites/default/files/bias-right.png)
![AllSides Media Bias Rating: Right AllSides Media Bias Rating: Right](https://www.allsides.com/sites/default/files/bias-right.png)
![AllSides Media Bias Rating: Right AllSides Media Bias Rating: Right](https://www.allsides.com/sites/default/files/bias-right.png)
![AllSides Media Bias Rating: Right AllSides Media Bias Rating: Right](https://www.allsides.com/sites/default/files/bias-right.png)
![AllSides Media Bias Rating: Right AllSides Media Bias Rating: Right](https://www.allsides.com/sites/default/files/bias-right.png)
![AllSides Media Bias Rating: Right AllSides Media Bias Rating: Right](https://www.allsides.com/sites/default/files/bias-right.png)