Gus Walz Speaks Out For First Time About Hate He Received For His Emotional Reaction To Dad's Speech

Gus Walz, the now 18-year-old son of Minnesota Democratic Governor and 2024 vice presidential candidate Tim Walz, sat down with David Begnaud of CBS Mornings for his first interview after going viral during the Democratic National Convention in 2024.

In response to his father's speech, a tearful Gus stood up, pointed at his father on stage, said said:

"That’s my dad!"

The emotional moment from Governor Walz's son touched the hearts of many who saw it. But members of Donald Trump's MAGA movement attacked the then 17-year-old. On Monday, Gus Walz discussed what his viral moment was like.

Of the personal attacks he received from adults online and on rightwing media, he said:

"I just kind of ignored it, I guess, was the only way to put it. I just continued to do what I do. I just blocked it out because I was just being emotional."

Gus Walz added:

"There’s nothing wrong with showing emotions."

"If people are going to say there is something wrong with that, then those are not the people that I want to be associated with."

Despite the way he was treated by the MAGAsphere, Gus Walz stated:

"People are nicer than you think."

Of that viral moment, he added:

"It was crazy. And I’m looking at my mom and I’m like, you know, that’s my dad. He’s right there. He’s right in front of America."

"All these people chanting our last name, it was super overwhelming, because to me, he's just regular, old dad. [He] golfs with me, makes food, cleans the cars. In that moment, it was something bigger. It was just surreal."

Minnesota First Lady Gwen Walz disclosed during the interview that Gus was diagnosed with a nonverbal learning disorder (NVLD), ADHD, and an anxiety disorder in the sixth grade.

Gus shared:

"We figured out I have challenges, but also strengths."

"I just try and let people know that I might struggle in this area, and I might be super strong in this area."

"I'm really good at making relationships with people."

"One of the things I’m not as good at is picking up on non-verbal cues like when somebody, you know, says they’re done or they’re ready to be done. Sometimes I can’t tell if they’re being serious or not."

Speaking of the bond his neurodivergence helped him form with his mother, Gus said:

"Routine really helps me, you know. Consistency. So I think my mom and me were, like, 'All right, let’s go in. Let’s go try and figure some stuff out'."

"And that’s really kind of what started us getting super, super close. Whatever I need, my mom’s there. She’s the most important person in my life."

Gus Walz shared:

"I think some people think I’m a little slow and, like, I’m not like a normal kid. And I think that I’m one of the most normal people that you could find."

"I want people to know I'm just a normal kid. I love volleyball, my family, my friends—and I want to help people."

CBS Mornings correspondent David Begnaud shared photos from his interview with Gus Walz on Facebook.

Begnaud also shared a longer version of the interview than the one that was aired on TV.

It was also posted on the CBS Mornings YouTube channel and TikTok.

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Response to the interview was mostly positive.

A notable exception was on Elon Musk's X platform where the emotionally stunted adults who plaster their profiles with adoration for Musk and Trump delighted in calling Gus Walz a "weirdo" and the r-word.

@coopwastaken/X

On platforms not controlled by Musk, the responses to Gus Walz's first interview were vastly different.

David Begnaud/Facebook

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David Begnaud/Facebook

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David Begnaud/Facebook

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David Begnaud/Facebook

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David Begnaud/Facebook

David Begnaud/Facebook

@cbsmornings/TikTok

Many reflected on what could have been, and commented on what we do have.

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The interview included Gus's promposal after his volleyball game. Begnaud shared with the CBS Mornings hosts that prom is this weekend.

May Gus have a great time.