Tim Walz Faces Backlash Over Awkward Shotgun Moment - 'This Guy Is Beyond Weak'

In an attempt to present Democratic vice presidential candidate Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota as a relatable figure for hunters, the Harris-Walz campaign released a video showcasing Walz preparing for a hunt.

The video, recorded on the opening day of Minnesota’s pheasant hunting season, was reported by CBS News.

However, Walz didn’t fire a single shot during the hunt.

What made matters worse was that Walz, a former National Guard member who has spoken about his knowledge of “weapons of war,” became the focus of attention when he struggled to load his shotgun.

“Tim Walz claimed he carried ‘weapons of war in combat,’ but he can’t load a shotgun? This guy is beyond weak. My little sister could beat him up. Ya gotta watch this,” country singer John Rich wrote on X.

As reported by the New York Post, Walz has previously portrayed himself as a skilled hunter.

“I guarantee you he can’t shoot pheasants like I can,” Walz said, drawing a comparison between himself and Republican vice presidential candidate Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio.

Conservative commentator Jason Robertson, in remarks shared by Fox News, sarcastically said, “After watching Tim Walz try to handle a shotgun, I officially retract any criticism from him avoiding combat zones.”

He added, “He is a HERO. He is so bad with a weapon that he saved American lives skipping the War Zone.”

“Tim Walz claims that he’s a lifelong bird hunter, but this clearly proves he has no idea how to load or charge a semi-automatic shotgun,” said conservative commentator John Cardillo, who went on to add, “He’s a first-timer right here.”

Ian Miles Cheong, another conservative voice, shared the video on X, likening Walz’s performance to that of the cartoon character Elmer Fudd, saying, “This is Tim Walz hunting pheasants. Who did it better?”

In an Op-Ed for the New York Post, Miranda Devine reflected on the incident, writing that “in just a few short weeks, the Minnesota governor has racked up an impressive number of media missteps and scandals, from his ‘stolen valor’ claims about his National Guard service to strange falsehoods regarding his connections with the Chinese Communist Party, not to mention his boastful claims about being an experienced hunter.”

She added, “That last bit of self-praise backfired during a staged pheasant hunting photo op in his home state, where he struggled to load his shotgun. In a cringe-worthy scene, Walz walked through the tall grass in a high-visibility vest, asking someone to bring him a ‘Diet Mountain Dew’ because he wanted to ‘pound it down.’”

Walz served in the Army National Guard for 24 years, though he never saw combat.

Throughout his campaign, Walz’s claim of handling “weapons of war” has been met with skepticism, particularly as it implied combat experience, which Walz does not have.