DISCLAIMER: This article was first published on September 3, 2024
In a rally in Milwaukee, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz delivered a powerful and pointed speech that left the crowd electrified, demolishing former President Donald Trump’s policies and character in less than a minute. With a blend of sharp criticism and undeniable charm, Walz demonstrated why he’s one of the most likable and effective speakers in the Democratic Party. His ability to connect with the crowd while delivering a scathing critique of Trump was on full display, as he dissected the former president’s agenda piece by piece.
A Call for Economic Fairness
Walz opened his speech by going straight to the heart of what he believes is the central flaw in Trump’s presidency—his catering to the ultra-wealthy at the expense of the working class. “This guy has made it clear how he stands,” Walz began, setting the tone for the rest of his remarks. He reminded the audience of Trump’s actions immediately after being elected president, saying, “He’s sitting down at Mar-a-Lago after he got elected president, and this was his exact quote. He’s talking to a bunch of folks at Mar-a-Lago. ‘You’re rich as hell, and we’re gonna give you a tax cut.’ At the same time, he was telling workers they get paid too much already.”
In these few sentences, Walz laid bare what he sees as Trump’s fundamental hypocrisy. While the former president was eager to reward the wealthy, he was also content to dismiss the needs of hardworking Americans. Walz’s rhetorical question to the crowd underscored this point: “You tell me who in Wisconsin is sitting around saying, damn, I wish they’d give billionaires tax cuts and screw me over. Damn, I wish they’d take my health care away. I wish they’d underfund my public school. I wish they would make my job more difficult, more dangerous.”
Tim Walz continues to be very good at this pic.twitter.com/he2ovVCDUg
— Acyn (@Acyn) September 2, 2024
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By framing the issues in such stark terms, Walz highlighted the absurdity of Trump’s policies. He tapped into a deep-seated frustration felt by many Americans who have seen their lives become more difficult while the rich have become richer. “What they’re asking for is to be treated fairly with dignity,” Walz asserted, cutting through the noise to emphasize the basic human need for respect and fairness.
Championing Personal Freedom Against Hypocrisy
But Walz didn’t stop there. He turned his attention to another core issue—personal freedom—and how, in his view, Trump and his allies have twisted this principle to justify government overreach. “I know. We all know this. I remember a time when Republicans talked about things like freedom. They meant it. They would never turn their back on our allies,” Walz reminisced, before driving home his point.
Walz: They talk about small government. Small enough to be in your bedroom, small enough to be in your exam room, small enough to be in your library telling you the things you should make decisions about. pic.twitter.com/CxsPsAYhZw
— Acyn (@Acyn) September 2, 2024
“Trump and [Senator J.D.] Vance, when they talk about freedom, means government should have the freedom to invade every corner of our life. They talk about small government, small enough to be in your bedroom, small enough to be in your exam room, small enough to be in your library telling you the things that you should make decisions about.”
With this, Walz deftly turned the Republican Party’s own rhetoric against it, exposing what he perceives as a contradiction between their professed commitment to small government and their actions. By invoking these deeply personal spaces—the bedroom, the exam room, the library—Walz made the stakes of this debate clear. He wasn’t just talking about abstract principles; he was talking about the very real and intimate aspects of people’s lives.
A Likeable Leader with a Sharp Edge
What makes Walz so effective, however, is not just his ability to attack Trump’s policies but the manner in which he does it. Throughout his speech, Walz maintained a warm, approachable demeanor that made his critiques all the more compelling. He wasn’t just attacking; he was defending the values he believes in—a commitment to fairness, respect, and genuine freedom.
Walz’s likable quality shone through when he turned to the crowd, drawing on the shared culture and friendly rivalries that unite people in the Midwest. “We respect differences,” he said, referring to the common ground shared between fans of rival sports teams like the Brewers and Twins, Vikings and Packers. “But on things like health care and what books I read and democracy, we all live by that very simple golden rule. Mind your own damn business. Mind your own business.”
This simple, no-nonsense phrase encapsulated Walz’s approach—direct, relatable, and deeply resonant with the crowd. It was a reminder that, despite the political divisions in the country, there are certain fundamental rights and freedoms that everyone can agree on. And it was delivered with a warmth and humor that made Walz’s critiques of Trump not just palatable, but persuasive.
Walz: You ask yourself who’s the right leader for our country… Kamala Harris, who has spent decades putting criminals behind bars, or Donald Trump and JD Vance, who get up every single morning, run to the nearest camera, and whine about how they’re being treated unfairly. pic.twitter.com/1zTQYnrDHh
— Acyn (@Acyn) September 2, 2024
The Energy of a Crowd-Pleaser
As Walz’s speech drew to a close, the energy in the room was palpable. Here was a leader who could speak truth to power without alienating those who might disagree with him. He didn’t just attack Trump; he offered a vision of what America could be—a place where people are treated with dignity, where government respects personal freedom, and where everyone has a fair shot at success.
“Your Republican neighbors wanna live that way,” Walz said, underscoring his belief that these values aren’t confined to one party or another. “We have to.” With this final appeal, Walz not only demolished Trump’s legacy but also issued a call to action—a reminder that the fight for these values is far from over.
In less than a minute, Tim Walz managed to do what many politicians struggle to achieve in an entire speech: he connected with his audience, articulated a clear and compelling message, and left a lasting impression. His ability to critique with kindness, to attack with likability, is what makes him a formidable voice in today’s political landscape. And it’s what made this rally in Wisconsin a moment to remember.
Featured image via screengrab.
