Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has called for Democrats to adopt a tougher stance against President Donald Trump in a fiery speech. The former schoolteacher compared Trump to a classroom bully, suggesting that when dealing with “an adult like Donald Trump, you bully the s**t out of him back.” Is Walz hinting at a future campaign message with this tougher approach?
Walz Calls for Democrats to “Bully” Trump
Speaking at a Democratic Party state convention in Columbia, South Carolina, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz delivered a fiery speech urging fellow Democrats to take a more aggressive stance against President Donald Trump. The failed vice-presidential candidate told the audience that “maybe it’s time for us to be a little meaner, a little bit more fierce because we have to ferociously push back on this,” drawing applause from the Democratic crowd.
Walz, drawing on his background as a former teacher, compared Trump to a schoolyard bully who needs to be confronted rather than appeased. “The thing that bothers a teacher more than anything is to watch a bully. And when it’s a child, you talk to them, and you tell them why bullying is wrong,” Walz said before adding, “But when it’s an adult like Donald Trump, you bully the s**t out of him back!”
TIM WALZ CALLS FOR BULLYING TRUMP @greggutfeld : You know you’re out of bullets when you call for bullying…how could you get any meaner to Trump? You already called him Hitler. pic.twitter.com/JIYRMYtKvX
— The Five (@TheFive) June 2, 2025
Democrats Rethinking Strategy After 2024 Defeat
Walz’s comments come as Democrats are still processing their comprehensive defeat in the 2024 elections, where they lost the White House, failed to regain the House of Representatives, and lost control of the Senate. The Minnesota governor expressed surprise that voters did not respond to the Democrats’ optimistic messaging during the campaign, suggesting a disconnect between the party’s communication strategy and voters’ concerns.
Economic anxieties played a significant role in the Democrats’ electoral defeat, with Walz acknowledging the need to better understand the public’s mood. Some critics within the party have suggested that the selection of Walz as the vice-presidential candidate was an attempt to appease certain factions within the Democratic coalition but failed to address the concerns of working-class voters across demographic groups.
I agree with Tim Walz saying Democrats need to “be a little meaner.”
Gloves off.
The high road hasn’t gotten us anywhere. pic.twitter.com/0A4vcvzoF9
— Art Candee 🍿🥤 (@ArtCandee) June 2, 2025
Walz’s Political Future Remains Uncertain
Despite his recent national exposure, Walz has not confirmed whether he will run for a third term as Minnesota’s governor in 2026 or potentially seek the presidency in 2028. His appearance in South Carolina, an important early primary state, included participation in a fundraising dinner and after-party fish fry hosted by influential South Carolina Democratic Representative Jim Clyburn.
Walz has faced criticism for previous comments about his role on the Democratic ticket, including a controversial remark that he was chosen because he could “code talk to white guys watching football, fixing their truck.” Despite the electoral loss and controversy, Walz encouraged Democrats to remain joyful while fighting political battles, suggesting that maintaining optimism while adopting a tougher stance against Republican opponents could be key to future Democratic success.