Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (D) has sparked a firestorm with comments that have even the most composed conservatives raising an eyebrow.
Breitbart reported that at a Labor Day picnic on Monday, Walz hinted at waking up to significant news, a statement now interpreted as a wish for news of President Donald Trump’s death, leading to sharp criticism from CNN political commentator Scott Jennings on Tuesday.
Let’s rewind to Monday, when Walz addressed a crowd at the picnic with a cryptic tease about expecting big news.
“You woke up the last few days thinking there might be news,” Walz said, adding a sly, “There will be news sometime.” Well, Governor, news indeed—though not the kind you might have hoped for.
That subtle dig didn’t sit well with many, especially when it’s seen as a not-so-veiled reference to Trump’s well-being. The implication, as critics see it, is a distasteful wish for bad tidings about a sitting president.
Enter Scott Jennings, who didn’t mince words on “The Arena” on Tuesday, tearing into Walz with a blistering critique. “I’ll tell you who is a complete piece of sh*t,” Jennings declared, pointing straight at Walz. His frustration was palpable, and it’s hard to argue that such remarks from an elected official don’t cross a line of basic decorum.
Jennings went further, painting a vivid picture of Walz’s behavior at a rally, accusing him of holding up a phone and suggesting they thought they’d wake up to news of Trump’s passing.
“No political official… should be walking around saying, well, I’m hoping we wake up one day and the president of the United States has died,” Jennings fumed. That’s not just poor taste—it’s a low blow that undermines the respect we owe to any leader, regardless of party.
On the same day, Jennings had a chance to speak directly with Trump on his radio show but chose not to bring up Walz’s comments. When pressed by host Kasie Hunt on why he skipped the topic, Jennings had a straightforward answer.
“When he got on the phone and sounded very much alive, I thought it would sound kind of stupid, frankly, to ask an alive person if they were dead,” he quipped.
That’s a fair point—why entertain baseless speculation when the man himself is clearly kicking? Jennings’ decision reflects a desire to keep the conversation grounded, rather than chasing every provocative whisper. Still, it’s a missed chance to get Trump’s take on such a personal attack.
Host Kasie Hunt couldn’t help but note the heated language flying around, remarking, “There have been a lot of swear words today.” It’s a reminder that political discourse is getting raw, and while passion has its place, we’re teetering on the edge of losing civility altogether.
Washington Post reporter Sabrina Rodriguez chimed in with an observation about the evolving nature of political jabs, noting a flip in strategy between parties.
“We spent much of Biden’s presidency hearing Trump supporters… documenting every day… Biden stumbled getting on the plane,” she said. Now, she argues, Democrats are turning the same lens on Trump, focusing on personal vulnerabilities rather than policy.
That shift is telling. It’s less about ideas and more about cheap shots, a trend that drags everyone down into the mud. If we’re to have any hope of meaningful debate, both sides need to aim higher than petty personal digs.
Walz’s words at that picnic weren’t just a casual slip—they’ve ignited a broader discussion on what’s fair game in politics. Hinting at a president’s demise, even in jest, isn’t just tasteless; it’s a dangerous precedent that normalizes wishing ill on opponents.
Jennings’ sharp rebuke of Walz, while blunt, echoes a sentiment many conservatives share: there’s a line, and Walz crossed it. Elected officials should be building bridges, not gleefully predicting someone’s downfall.
At the end of the day, this controversy over Walz’s remarks is a call to action for all of us to demand better from our leaders. We can disagree on policy without resorting to hoping for personal tragedy. If we don’t hold that standard, we’re all complicit in the decline of discourse—and that’s a loss no one can afford.