Was MAGA Trump filmed treating Tim Walz? A firestorm breaks out

A fiery debate on social media erupted after MAGA supporters shared a viral video of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) at a college football game over the weekend.

Conservative social media users claimed the video in question showed Walz giving the middle finger to attendees chanting “Trump 2024” during the Michigan-Minnesota game on Saturday. However, other social media users were quick to point out that one photo shows Walz pointing at the crowd, without giving the middle finger.

Social media users appear divided over the video, with many conservatives using it as a reason to attack Walz ahead of his debate with Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) on Tuesday.

“Tim Walz gets heckled by students at Michigan game, then appears to turn on students. This really shows the maturity of his former teacher, vice-president, shaken by certain college students. Weak!” conservative Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, wrote on the social media platform X.

Others pointed out that the photo of Walz walking out shows him showing the attendees. Some users accused MAGA supporters of lying and doctoring the video, with one user calling them “desperate.”

Another user said, “Tim Walz didn’t give anyone the middle finger” and attached Walz’s photo.

Some users responded to those who said he was pointing, without using his middle finger, saying the photo and video could be two different shots. The video in question appears blurry and it’s unclear which finger Walz was using to point as he exited the stadium.

Walz traveled to Ann Arbor to watch the University of Michigan and University of Minnesota teams play in what is expected to be his last major campaign appearance before Tuesday’s vice presidential debate.

Earlier in the day, Walz was greeted at the airport by University of Michigan students, who arrived on a bus carrying a banner that read “Put Me In, Coach!” » Michigan won the game against Walz’s home state school.

Fox News reported that some critics criticized Walz for praising Michigan after his home state school lost the game on Saturday. Some online videos of Walz arriving at the game show people outside the stadium booing him.

“I’ll always be a Minnesota guy. But after meeting some great people at the Big House, I have to admit that Michiganders know how to have a good game day,” Walz wrote on social media.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.