Fact Check: Rightwing social media personality Mike Cernovich, who has 1.5 million followers, suggested on October 2, 2023, that Minnesota Governor Tim Walz ordered the assassination of Melissa Hortman.

Fact Check: Mike Cernovich's Claim About Governor Tim Walz

What We Know

On October 2, 2023, right-wing social media personality Mike Cernovich, who has approximately 1.5 million followers, made a claim suggesting that Minnesota Governor Tim Walz ordered the assassination of Melissa Hortman, the Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives. This assertion appears to be unfounded and lacks credible evidence.

Melissa Hortman served as the Speaker from 2019 until her tragic assassination on June 14, 2025, alongside her husband, in what was described as a politically motivated attack by the assailant, Vance Luther Boelter, who was later apprehended by authorities (Wikipedia). Governor Walz publicly condemned the attack, stating it seemed politically motivated, but there is no evidence linking him to any orders regarding Hortman's assassination (Press Releases).

Analysis

The claim made by Cernovich lacks substantiation and appears to be part of a broader narrative that has circulated among certain conservative circles, particularly following the tragic events surrounding Hortman's death. A fact-check by PBS highlighted that claims linking Governor Walz to the shootings of Minnesota lawmakers have been characterized as unsubstantiated and baseless (PBS).

Moreover, the credibility of Cernovich as a source is questionable. He is known for promoting conspiracy theories and misinformation, which raises concerns about the reliability of his statements. The context of the claim also matters; it seems to exploit the emotional aftermath of a violent crime for political gain, a tactic that has been criticized in similar situations (Politifact).

In addition, there have been no credible reports or evidence from law enforcement or reputable news sources that support the idea that Governor Walz had any involvement in or knowledge of a plot against Hortman. Instead, the investigation into the assassination pointed to Boelter acting independently, with a list of targets that included several politicians, indicating a broader motive rather than a specific order from Walz (Wikipedia).

Conclusion

The claim that Governor Tim Walz ordered the assassination of Melissa Hortman is False. There is no credible evidence to support this assertion, and it appears to be a politically charged statement made without substantiation. The narrative surrounding this claim seems to be rooted in misinformation and conspiracy theories, which have been debunked by various fact-checking organizations.

Sources

1. Press Releases / Office of Governor Tim Walz and Lt. Governor Peggy ...
2. Melissa Hortman - Wikipedia
3. What Tim Walz's Time in Minnesota Says About How He Governs
4. Fact-checking unsubstantiated claims linking Gov. Walz to Minnesota ...
5. How conservative X accounts promoted wild theory implicating Gov. Tim ...
6. Mike Lee Flies off Rails With Disgusting Joke About Minnesota Assassin
7. Gov. Tim Walz is at odds with Minnesota progressives - Star Tribune