Trump Responds to Harris Choosing Walz as Running Mate

Former President Donald Trump indicated on Aug. 7 that he was surprised that Vice President Kamala Harris chose Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate, while adding that he’s planning on debating Harris and will make an announcement soon.

Before the Harris campaign confirmed Walz as her vice presidential pick, widespread speculation claimed that she might choose Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro or Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.).

“I would say my reaction is I can’t believe it. I never thought this was going to be the one that was picked,” Trump told Fox News’ morning program “Fox and Friends” on Wednesday.

Trump said Walz is “a very, very liberal man, and he’s a shocking pick. And I’m thrilled … I could not be more thrilled.”

As Minnesota governor, Walz has enacted a progressive agenda that includes free school meals, climate change-related goals, and expanded paid leave for Minnesota workers. His handling of the protests and riots in Minneapolis after the death of George Floyd in 2020 has also come under the spotlight, with some conservative commentators and Republicans highlighting his record on social media on July 6.

The former president’s comments are a preview of what his campaign messaging might focus on regarding Walz and Harris, with only three months to go before the November election. In his interview, Trump attempted to compare Walz to Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), a self-described democratic socialist. “There’s never been a ticket like this,” the former president said.

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“I’m no big fan of Josh Shapiro. I know the state very well … but I would have said it would have been a better choice,” he told Fox News.

Trump Wants a Debate

The former president also signaled in the Fox interview that he will be having a debate with Harris, coming days after he suggested that they should hold the debate on Fox News instead of ABC.

“It’s going to be announced fairly soon. But we’ll be debating her. I would like to see it on Fox, by the way,” the former president told the channel, adding, “We’ll be debating her I guess in the pretty near future.”

In May, the former president and President Joe Biden agreed to hold two debates, with one hosted by CNN in June and the other hosted by ABC News in September. With Biden’s announcement he would be dropping out, Trump signaled that he wanted the next debate with Harris to be held on Fox News instead.

“I want to debate her. I think it’s important for the country that we debate,” the Republican Party’s nominee said. “Now where it is, I’m all for Fox. I think Fox would do a really good job. But two people have to agree.”

Shapiro Praises Walz

Shapiro, during a rally in Pennsylvania on Tuesday, said that he was grateful for the opportunity to be potentially named as a vice presidential candidate.

“I’m going to be working my tail off to make sure we make Kamala Harris and Tim Walz the next leaders of the United States of America,” Shapiro said. “I want to just say this: I lean on my family and I lean on my faith, which calls me to serve. And I am proud of my faith.”

“Over the next 90 days, I look forward to traveling all across the Commonwealth to unite Pennsylvanians behind Kamala Harris’ campaign to defeat Donald Trump, become the 47th President of the United States, and build a better future for our country,” he added.

He also dispelled any notions that he would join her cabinet, writing, “Pennsylvanians elected me to a four-year term as their governor, and my work here is far from finished.”

And in his first appearance as Harris’ running mate, Walz touted his record as Minnesota’s governor, his roots in Nebraska, and National Guard service. Before he entered the governor’s office, Walz represented a district in the U.S. House of Representatives for 12 years.

He also spoke about West Point, Nebraska, the “small town of 400” where he was born, and where he spent “the summers working on the family farm.”

“I learned the art of compromise without compromising my values,” he said, of his more than a decade representing Minnesota’s 1st District.