A photograph circulating on social media featuring individuals wearing “Nebraska Walz’s for Trump” T-shirts has stirred political discussions, especially after being reposted by former President Donald Trump. The individuals in the photo are indeed related to Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz, although distantly.
The image, which includes eight smiling people in navy pro-Trump shirts positioned beneath a “Trump 2024 — Take America Back” sign, was initially shared on X by Charles Herbster, a former Nebraska gubernatorial candidate endorsed by Trump in 2022. Trump amplified the photo by reposting it on his Truth Social platform, adding, “It is a Great Honor to have your Endorsement. I look forward to meeting you soon!”
Rod Edwards, spokesperson for Herbster, clarified that the people in the photograph are cousins of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who is currently Kamala Harris’ running mate in the upcoming election. “The family in the picture are the descendants of Francis Walz, who was brother to Tim Walz’s grandfather,” Edwards stated. “They’re all Walzes and spouses.” This familial connection was confirmed by the descendants of Francis Walz themselves in a message to The Associated Press.
In a written statement, the Nebraska Walz family explained the context of the photo: “Shortly after Governor Tim Walz was named the Democrat Party Vice Presidential nominee, our family had a get-together. We had t-shirts made to show support for President Trump and J.D. Vance and took a group picture. That photo was shared with friends, and when we were asked for permission to post the picture, we agreed.” They further emphasized their stance, stating, “The picture is real. The shirts are real. We are the Nebraska Walz family and we are related to Gov. Tim Walz, our grandfathers were brothers. The message on the shirts speaks for itself, “Nebraska Walzs for Trump.”
However, not all members of Tim Walz’s family share the same political views. Sandy Dietrich, Tim Walz’s sister residing in Alliance, Nebraska, expressed her unfamiliarity with this branch of the family. She mentioned that her and Tim Walz’s father, James Walz, who passed away in 1984, had not maintained close ties with them. “We weren’t close with them. We didn’t know them,” she commented. Dietrich, while acknowledging the existence of her distant cousins’ political preference, refrained from further comment on their opposition to her brother, identifying herself and her immediate family as “Democrats for Tim.” “I know who I’m voting for. That’s all I can control,” she added.
Adding another layer to the family dynamic, Tim Walz’s older brother, Jeff Walz of Freeport, Florida, had previously voiced strong opposition to his brother’s political ideology. Reported by the New York Post, Jeff Walz had made Facebook comments critical of his younger brother, stating, “The stories I could tell. Not the type of character you want making decisions about your future.” He also reportedly expressed “100% opposition to all his ideology” and considered endorsing Trump.
However, Jeff Walz later walked back some of his comments in an interview with NewsNation. While confirming his initial irritation at learning about his brother’s VP nomination through the radio, he clarified that he did not intend to influence political discourse and wished to remain uninvolved in any campaigns. Jeff Walz explained that his “stories” referred to childhood anecdotes and not any serious concerns about his brother’s character or political capabilities. He mentioned a specific childhood memory, “Nobody wanted to sit with him, because he had car sickness and would always throw up on us, that sort of thing,” to illustrate the nature of his “stories.” He further stated he would not be making any more public statements on the matter. Jeff and Tim Walz reportedly have not spoken since their younger brother Craig’s funeral in 2016, except for a brief call facilitated by their mother last month.
This situation highlights a fascinating intersection of family ties and political affiliations. While the Nebraska Walz family publicly supports Donald Trump, other branches of the Walz family, including Tim Walz’s sister, stand firmly behind the Democratic nominee, while his brother initially expressed, and then seemingly softened, criticism. As the election approaches, this family’s story serves as a microcosm of the broader political divisions within the American electorate.
