Fact Check: Senator Mike Lee Mocked Minnesota Shooting Victims
What We Know
On June 16, 2025, following the assassination of former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Senator Mike Lee of Utah posted a series of controversial messages on social media that many interpreted as mocking the victims of the shootings. In his posts, Lee stated, “This is what happens When Marxists don’t get their way,” and referred to the incident as “Nightmare on Waltz Street,” seemingly targeting Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (source-1). These comments drew immediate backlash from various political figures and the public, who accused him of insensitivity and politicizing a tragic event.
Lee's initial posts were made shortly after the shootings, which left two dead and two injured, and occurred while the suspect, Vance Boelter, was still at large (source-2). Critics, including Senator Amy Klobuchar, condemned Lee's remarks, emphasizing that such behavior is unbecoming of a U.S. Senator (source-4).
Analysis
The evidence from multiple sources confirms that Senator Mike Lee did indeed post messages on social media that many interpreted as mocking the victims of the Minnesota shootings. His comments were made within 24 hours of the incident, which adds to the perception of insensitivity. The context of his statements, particularly the use of the term "Marxists" and the reference to the governor, suggests a political motive behind his posts, which many critics found inappropriate given the circumstances (source-3).
The backlash against Lee was significant, with calls for his resignation from various political figures and commentators, who described his behavior as "truly disgusting" and "depraved" (source-5). The criticism highlights a broader concern regarding the politicization of violence and the expected decorum from elected officials in the wake of such tragedies.
While Lee later issued a more measured statement on his official Senate account, condemning violence and expressing condolences, this came after the initial uproar and was seen by many as an attempt to mitigate the backlash rather than a genuine response to the tragedy (source-1).
Conclusion
The claim that Senator Mike Lee posted on social media mocking the victims of the Minnesota shootings shortly after the incident is True. His initial comments, which many interpreted as mocking and politically charged, were made in close temporal proximity to the tragic event, leading to widespread condemnation. The context and content of his posts indicate a lack of sensitivity to the gravity of the situation, reinforcing the perception that his remarks were inappropriate.
Sources
- Mike Lee Draws Outrage for Posts Blaming Minnesota Assassination on Far ...
- Sen Mike Lee's comments on Minnesota shootings cause massive backlash ...
- GOP Senator Slammed For 'Depraved' Tweets After Shootings | HuffPost ...
- Klobuchar condemns Mike Lee's posts about Minnesota ...
- Sen. Mike Lee called to resign for "disgusting" posts about Minnesota ...
