Walz Admits He ‘Misspoke’ After Reports Challenge Claim of Being in Hong Kong During Tiananmen Square Protests

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz

Tim Walz Admits Misstatement on Tiananmen Square Claims

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz acknowledged on Tuesday that he "misspoke" regarding his presence in Hong Kong during the Tiananmen Square protests in 1989. His comments come amid resurfaced reports that challenge his earlier claims about being in the region during the pro-democracy demonstrations.

During a recent vice presidential debate, Walz insisted he was indeed in Hong Kong and China at that time, despite evidence suggesting he was actually in Nebraska. An article from the Alliance Times-Herald dated May 16, 1989, featured Walz in Nebraska, preparing to move there before planning his trip to China later that summer.

Walz previously stated he was in Hong Kong on June 4, 1989—the day of the Tiananmen Square massacre—while discussing his experiences during a Congressional hearing in 2009 and in various interviews. However, his claims have been met with skepticism, and the Harris campaign was unable to provide evidence supporting his assertions.

Republican critics, including those from Donald Trump's campaign, have seized on these inconsistencies, dubbing him "Tiananmen Tim" and hinting at future attacks regarding his ties to China. This latest revelation adds to a pattern of misstatements from Walz since joining the Democratic vice presidential ticket.

Walz Admits He ‘Misspoke’ After Reports Challenge Claim of Being in Hong Kong During Tiananmen Square Protests