Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz speaks outside the Annunciation Catholic School following a shooting Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Trump wouldn’t call Minnesota governor after Democrat was slain but now blames him for raised flags
WASHINGTON (AP) 鈥 President Donald Trump said Monday that he would have ordered flags lowered to half-staff following the assassination of a Minnesota Democratic state lawmaker this summer had he been asked by the state鈥檚 governor. But Trump at the time refused to even call Democratic Gov. Tim Walz to express his condolences, saying it would only 鈥渨aste time.鈥
By Will Weissert And Steve Karnowski The Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) 鈥 President Donald Trump said Monday that he would have ordered flags lowered to half-staff following the assassination of a Minnesota Democratic state lawmaker this summer had he been asked by the state鈥檚 governor. But Trump at the time refused to even call Democratic Gov. Tim Walz to express his condolences, saying it would only 鈥渨aste time.鈥
The president made the remark during an unrelated Oval Office event as he defended his decision to lower U.S. flags after last week鈥檚 of conservative activist .
After announcing that he was , Trump was asked why he signed an order lowering flags nationwide after Kirk’s killing during an event in Utah, but didn’t do so after and her husband were shot and killed in June.
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Trump replied, 鈥淲ell, if the governor had asked me to do that, I would have done that.鈥
鈥淏ut the governor of Minnesota didn’t ask me,鈥 the president said.
He continued, 鈥淚 wouldn’t have thought of that. But I would have if somebody had asked me,” and added: 鈥淗ad the governor asked me to do that, I would have done that gladly.”
Walz spokesperson Claire Lancaster said in response Monday night that 鈥淕overnor Walz wishes that President Trump would be a President for all Americans.鈥 The governor also tweeted a video call for unity that featured references to Hortman鈥檚 assassination and the recent that killed two students and injured 21 people. It included feel-good scenes from the recent Minnesota State Fair but didn鈥檛 mention Kirk.
鈥淭he world feels crazy right now, but we won鈥檛 lose hope. We will get through this, together,鈥 Walz said in the video.
Trump鈥檚 assertions Monday omitted the fact that 鈥 days after Hortman and her husband were shot dead in their home in the northern Minneapolis suburbs 鈥 the president was asked if he鈥檇 be calling Walz. Trump suggested that doing so would 鈥渨aste time.鈥
Presidents often reach out to governors, mayors and other elected officials at times of tragedy, such as after mass killings or natural disasters, to offer condolences and, if needed, federal assistance. But Trump said then that Walz, the against Trump in last year鈥檚 election, was 鈥渟lick.鈥
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鈥淚 think the governor of Minnesota is so whacked out. I鈥檓 not calling him. Why would I call him?” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One in June. He then added, 鈥淭he guy doesn鈥檛 have a clue” and 鈥渉e鈥檚 a mess. So, you know, I could be nice and call him but why waste time?鈥
Trump also said Monday that he planned to attend Kirk鈥檚 funeral this weekend in Arizona and that he鈥檇 likely be speaking.
鈥淚 guess I鈥檒l say a few words, I don鈥檛 know,鈥 he said. 鈥淏ut I guess I will.鈥
