"That's my dad!" Tim Walz's DNC speech moves his kids to tears
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Democratic vice presidential candidate and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz's son Gus (left) and daughter Hope (second to left) react as he speaks on the third day of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, on Wednesday. Photo: Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images
CHICAGO — Tim Walz's family became emotional at the DNC as he spoke of his and Minnesota first lady Gwen Walz's fertility journey during his acceptance speech for the Democratic Party's vice presidential nomination on Wednesday.
The big picture: "It took Gwen and I years" to conceive, the Minnesota governor said. "But we had access to fertility treatments and when our daughter was born, we named her Hope," he added, causing tears to well up in the eyes of his daughter, who was watching in the front row with her mom and brother.
- "Hope, Gus and Gwen, you are my entire world and I love you," said Walz, prompting his 17-year-old son, with tears in his eyes, to stand and say: "That's my dad!"
- The reaction of Gus, who has a non-verbal learning disorder, ADHD and an anxiety disorder, went viral soon after.
What they're saying: "Gus Walz is all of us," said the Michigan Democrats in a post to X shortly after his response to his dad's speech — a comment echoed by many on the platform.
Zoom in: Tim and Gwen Walz told People magazine earlier this month that they regarded the conditions of their son, who's about to start his senior year of high school, as a "secret power."
- Their daughter Hope, 23, is a recent Montana State University graduate who now works as a social worker.
Zoom out: Walz's identity as a dad has already placed a central role in his rollout.
- He speaks frequently about the fertility challenges he and his wife faced before having their two children and his "big dad energy" has won him likes and legions of fans online.
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