Democratic Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz expressed frustration on a podcast Tuesday over criticism of his masculinity while campaigning to be vice president in 2024. Speaking on This is Gavin Newsom, Walz claimed Fox News hosts repeatedly mocked him for using a straw to drink a milkshake and characterized him as homosexual.
Fox News host Jesse Watters previously criticized Walz’s masculinity in September, specifically citing his milkshake consumption. “It just baffled me how much time they spent trying to attack me — that I wasn’t masculine enough in their vision,” Walz said. “I saw Fox News did, like, a couple days because I used a straw, and I’m like, ‘Hell, man, how else do you drink a milkshake?’”
Walz went on to claim that conservative media has an “obsession” with his masculinity and sexuality. “Their whole thing was that they spent all their time — these guys on Fox News — that Walz is gay, he’s not masculine, you know?” he continued. “And he doesn’t coach football the way he should.”
The governor also insisted he could physically defeat his critics. “I think I could kick most of their ass,” Walz said.
Walz has faced additional scrutiny for appearing to struggle while loading a semi-automatic shotgun during a pheasant-hunting trip in October. Critics pointed to the incident as evidence of inauthenticity in his efforts to appeal to middle America.
Since taking office in 2018, Walz has signed a range of progressive policies, including a controversial 2023 law mandating that Minnesota schools provide tampons in both girls’ and boys’ restrooms. The move earned him the nickname “Tampon Tim” from President Donald Trump and other conservatives.
In March, Walz launched a town hall tour in red districts, saying he intends to “lend a megaphone” to Americans. In a March 2 interview with The New Yorker, he suggested he might consider a 2028 presidential bid if the conditions and his “skill set” aligned.
