Newly unearthed reports contradict Minnesota Governor Tim Walz’s previous claims about his travel to China during the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests.
These reports, which surfaced just before a critical vice presidential debate, have raised questions about the accuracy of Walz’s statements.
Discrepancies in Walz’s China Travel Claims
Newly unearthed reports have cast doubt on Minnesota Governor Tim Walz’s claims about his presence in China during the Tiananmen Square protests. The reports emerged just before the vice presidential debate, suggesting that Walz’s historical assertions may not be entirely accurate.
Walz previously stated that he visited Hong Kong in May 1989 and recalled detailed memories of that time. However, contemporaneous newspaper reports from Nebraska place him in the United States during the critical period of the protests.
Conflicting Accounts from Media Outlets
The Washington Free Beacon, a conservative news outlet, published newspaper articles indicating that Walz was in Nebraska at the time he claimed to be in China. A photo in the Alliance Times-Herald from May 16, 1989, shows Walz in a Nebraska National Guard storeroom.
These reports contradict Walz’s statements made during a 2014 Congressional hearing, where he provided vivid descriptions of his time in China during the protests.
Harris Campaign’s Response
When questioned by CNN, the Harris campaign could not provide evidence to confirm Walz’s presence in China during the Tiananmen Square protests. The campaign only managed to reaffirm Walz’s long-standing professional relationship with China.
This discrepancy was initially reported by Minnesota Public Radio News and APM Reports, which revealed further inconsistencies in Walz’s travel history.
Exaggerated Travel Claims
Walz’s claims about the frequency of his travels to China have also come under scrutiny. In a 2016 interview, he asserted that he had visited China about 30 times, whereas other records suggest the number is closer to 15.
During another Congressional hearing in 2016, he mentioned visiting Hong Kong ‘dozens and dozens and dozens of times’. This significant discrepancy raises further questions about the accuracy of his statements.
Walz’s Relationship with China
Despite these discrepancies, it is undeniable that China has played a significant role in Walz’s life. He first traveled to the country in 1989 and has since led numerous educational trips there.
Walz and his wife chose June 4, 1994, the fifth anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre, for their wedding date. They spent their honeymoon leading an educational trip to China.
Political Implications
Walz’s ties to China have become a focal point in the political discourse leading up to the vice presidential debate. Republican allies are likely to exploit these inconsistencies to question his credibility.
Jason Miller, a senior advisor to Donald Trump’s campaign, has already hinted that this issue will be raised during the debate, referring to Walz as ‘Tiananmen Tim’ on social media.
Congressional Scrutiny
Congressional Republicans have increased their scrutiny of Walz, particularly concerning his ties to the Chinese Communist Party. House Oversight Chairman James Comer has subpoenaed Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas for documents related to Walz.
This investigation began shortly after Walz joined the Democratic ticket and has intensified as more inconsistencies have been revealed.
The inconsistencies in Walz’s accounts of his travels to China have become a significant point of contention.
As political opponents seize on these discrepancies, the issue is likely to remain at the forefront of the ongoing debate.
