A photograph circulating on social media featuring individuals sporting “Nebraska Walz’s for Trump” T-shirts has ignited discussions about family allegiances in politics, specifically concerning the family of Democratic Vice Presidential nominee Tim Walz. While initially raising questions, it has been confirmed that these individuals are indeed distant cousins of Walz, publicly declaring their support for former President Donald Trump.
The image, showcasing eight smiling individuals proudly wearing navy blue pro-Trump shirts beneath a “Trump 2024 — Take America Back” banner, gained significant traction after being reposted by Donald Trump himself on his Truth Social platform. Trump amplified the image with the message: “It is a Great Honor to have your Endorsement. I look forward to meeting you soon!” This public acknowledgment from the former president further fueled the story’s spread and underscored the visible family divide.
Charles Herbster, a former gubernatorial candidate in Nebraska endorsed by Trump in 2022, initially shared the photo on X (formerly Twitter). Herbster’s spokesperson, Rod Edwards, clarified that the individuals in the picture are descendants of Francis Walz, the brother of Tim Walz’s grandfather, establishing their cousin relationship to the Minnesota governor and current running mate of Kamala Harris. The “Nebraska Walz family,” as they’ve been identified, validated their connection to Tim Walz in a statement to The Associated Press, confirming their lineage and political stance.
According to their written statement, the “Nebraska Walzs for Trump” movement arose organically. “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,” the statement explained. They further emphasized, “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, the political divergence within the Walz family extends beyond distant cousins. Sandy Dietrich, Tim Walz’s sister residing in Nebraska, acknowledged the “Nebraska Walz family” as a distinct branch but emphasized her own and her immediate family’s political alignment with her brother. “We weren’t close with them. We didn’t know them,” Dietrich stated, highlighting the separation between the two family branches. She firmly positioned herself and her family as “Democrats for Tim,” stating, “I know who I’m voting for. That’s all I can control,” while declining further comment on her cousins’ political choices.
Adding another layer to this family narrative, Jeff Walz, the governor’s older brother, has also voiced opinions critical of his brother’s political career. Reports from the New York Post highlighted Facebook comments where Jeff Walz expressed strong opposition to his younger brother’s ideology. He reportedly stated he was “100% opposed to all his ideology” and even considered endorsing Trump.
While Jeff Walz later walked back some of his more pointed comments in an interview with NewsNation, he confirmed a long-standing estrangement from the governor. He mentioned that their last substantial conversation occurred at their younger brother’s funeral in 2016, with only a brief phone call facilitated by their mother more recently. Addressing his Facebook post’s reference to “stories,” Jeff Walz downplayed any significant implications, recounting childhood anecdotes such as Tim’s car sickness as the basis for his remarks, suggesting a degree of misunderstanding in the interpretation of his comments. He affirmed he would refrain from further public statements on the matter, indicating a desire to step back from the political spotlight surrounding his brother’s vice-presidential candidacy.
The unfolding story of the Walz family and their contrasting political endorsements provides a compelling glimpse into the personal dimensions of political divides within American families. From distant cousins publicly declaring “Nebraska Walz’s for Trump” to a brother expressing ideological opposition, the narrative underscores the complex and often fragmented landscape of political opinion, even within the same family tree, as the nation approaches the upcoming elections.
