Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, a Democrat, has issued a scathing condemnation of former President Donald Trump, labeling his recent social media activity as "dangerous, depraved behavior." The rebuke came after Trump amplified a baseless conspiracy theory on his Truth Social platform that implied Governor Walz was involved in the murder of Minnesota State Representative Melissa Hortman.
A Dangerous Allegation Shared
On Saturday, Trump shared a video on Truth Social featuring an individual making unfounded claims. The video alleged that the man accused of killing Representative Hortman, Vance Boelter, was an employee of Governor Walz. It further propagated the false narrative that Walz had orchestrated Hortman's killing because she voted to "take away health care from illegal immigrants."
Governor Walz responded swiftly on social media, posting a screenshot of Trump's post with a forceful statement. "Dangerous, depraved behavior from the sitting president of the United States," Walz wrote. He added, "In covering for an actual serial killer, he is going to get more innocent people killed. America is better than this."
The Tragic Facts of the Case
The incident at the heart of this conspiracy dates back to July. Vance Boelter was indicted on six charges, including stalking and murder, after killing State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband. In the same violent episode, he also shot Minnesota State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette Hoffman.
Following the murders, police discovered a notebook in Boelter's car. The notebook contained a list of Democratic lawmakers and abortion providers. At the time, Governor Walz described the horrific act as a "politically motivated assassination." Videos have since surfaced showing Boelter preaching against abortion and making disparaging comments about gender identity.
Debunking the False Narrative
Despite claims from conspiracy theorists and some far-right figures, including Elon Musk and Benny Johnson, that Boelter was a left-wing actor, evidence points otherwise. Boelter's own roommate described him as someone who "liked Trump."
Furthermore, the assertion that Boelter was a Walz aide is factually incorrect. According to reports from The Washington Post, Boelter was never a paid employee of Governor Walz. His only official connection was a volunteer appointment. In 2019, Governor Walz reappointed Boelter to a four-year term on the Governor’s Workforce Development Board, a position he had previously held under former Democratic Governor Mark Dayton. This unpaid board advises the governor and state legislature on workforce policy.
The conspiracy theory linking Walz to the murder began circulating almost immediately after the tragic event, finding fertile ground in certain online communities. Governor Walz's forceful rebuttal highlights the escalating tension between factual reporting and politically motivated disinformation in the current American landscape.
