Fact Check: "Van Orden calls Gov. Walz a 'clown' after Minnesota shootings."
What We Know
In the aftermath of recent shootings that targeted Minnesota lawmakers, Wisconsin U.S. Representative Derrick Van Orden made derogatory comments about Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. Following the tragic events, which included the killing of former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and the wounding of State Senator John Hoffman, Van Orden condemned the violence on his official social media account, stating, "Political violence has no place in America" (source-1). However, in subsequent posts on his personal accounts, he referred to Walz as "stupid" and a "clown," criticizing him for reappointing Vance Boelter, the suspect in the shootings, to a state board (source-2).
Boelter was arrested following a two-day manhunt and faces federal charges related to the shootings. The attacks have been described by Minnesota officials as politically motivated, although the precise motive remains unclear (source-1). Van Orden's comments drew criticism from various political figures, including fellow lawmakers who accused him of exacerbating partisan tensions during a time of tragedy (source-1).
Analysis
The evidence supporting the claim that Van Orden called Governor Walz a "clown" and "stupid" is well-documented in multiple sources. Both source-1 and source-2 confirm that these remarks were made in the context of his criticism of Walz's decision to reappoint Boelter. The posts were made shortly after the violent incidents, indicating a stark shift from his initial condemnation of the violence to personal attacks on Walz.
The sources used in this fact-check are credible, with source-1 being a reputable news outlet and source-2 providing additional context and analysis. Both sources highlight the political implications of Van Orden's comments and the backlash they received from other lawmakers, further solidifying their reliability.
Conclusion
The claim that Derrick Van Orden called Governor Tim Walz a "clown" and "stupid" after the Minnesota shootings is True. The evidence from credible news sources confirms that these derogatory remarks were made in the context of criticizing Walz's prior appointment of the alleged shooter to a state board. Van Orden's comments not only reflect a personal attack but also contribute to the ongoing partisan tensions in the wake of a tragic event.
Sources
- Derrick Van Orden taunts Walz as a 'stupid' after Minnesota shootings. jsonline.com
- US Rep. Derrick Van Orden insults Minnesota governor, spreads unfounded theories after shooting. wpr.org
- Used Vans and Minivans for Sale Near Me - Autotrader. autotrader.com
- 3rd Congressional Democrats of Wisconsin: Condemn Rep. Derrick Van Orden for his statements about the Minnesota shooting. wispolitics.com
- WI Rep. Van Orden spreads misinformation online following Minnesota shootings. wisconsinindependent.com
- Best Vans for 2025, Tested and Rated by Experts - MotorTrend. motortrend.com
- Trump and the GOP's Ghoulish Response to the Assassinations in Minnesota. motherjones.com
- Best Minivans for 2025, Tested. caranddriver.com
