Fact Check: "President Donald Trump had not called Minnesota Governor Tim Walz by Sunday afternoon, October 1, 2023, following the assassination of House DFL Leader Melissa Hortman."
What We Know
On October 1, 2023, Minnesota state lawmakers Melissa Hortman and John Hoffman were attacked in what Governor Tim Walz described as a "politically motivated assassination" attempt. Hortman was killed, while Hoffman was seriously injured but survived the attack. The suspect, Vance Luther Boelter, remains at large as of the latest updates (BBC).
In the aftermath of the attack, President Donald Trump condemned the violence, stating that "such horrific violence will not be tolerated" (BBC). However, when asked about whether he would call Governor Walz, Trump expressed his disapproval of Walz's governance, labeling him as "terrible" and "grossly incompetent," while also stating, "I may — I may call him" (Mediaite). Reports confirm that as of Sunday afternoon, October 1, 2023, Trump had not yet called Walz (Axios, Star Tribune).
Analysis
The claim that President Trump had not called Governor Walz by Sunday afternoon is supported by multiple sources. Axios and the Star Tribune both confirm that Trump had not made the call within the specified timeframe (Axios, Star Tribune). The context of Trump's remarks indicates a complex relationship with Walz, characterized by public criticism and political rivalry. While Trump condemned the violence, his comments about Walz suggest a lack of willingness to engage positively with the governor in the wake of the tragedy.
The reliability of the sources is generally high, as they include established news organizations like Axios and the Star Tribune, which are known for their journalistic standards. However, Mediaite, while reputable, is more opinion-oriented and may present a biased interpretation of Trump's comments (Mediaite).
Overall, the evidence indicates that while Trump did express a potential willingness to call Walz, he had not done so by the stated time, aligning with the claim.
Conclusion
The claim that "President Donald Trump had not called Minnesota Governor Tim Walz by Sunday afternoon, October 1, 2023, following the assassination of House DFL Leader Melissa Hortman" is Partially True. While it is accurate that Trump had not called Walz by that time, the context of his remarks and the nature of his relationship with Walz complicate the interpretation of his intentions. His simultaneous condemnation of the violence and criticism of Walz suggests a politically charged atmosphere rather than a straightforward response to the tragedy.
