When 18-year-old Gus Walz stood up during the Democratic National Convention last August and pointed proudly at his father, Gov. Tim Walz, many people felt touched. He shouted, “That’s my dad!” with tears in his eyes as his father walked onto the stage to accept the nomination for vice president. The moment went viral. Some people loved it. Others, sadly, made fun of him.
But Gus? He didn’t let the hate get to him.
In his first-ever public interview on CBS Mornings, Gus spoke about the moment and the criticism he received. “I just blocked it out ’cause I was just being emotional,” he said. “There’s nothing wrong with showing emotions and if people are gonna say there’s something wrong with that, then those are not the people that I want to be associated with.”
Tim Walz’s son Gus Walz speaks out for the first time and responds to people who criticized him: “I just blocked it out ‘cause I was just being emotional like there’s nothing wrong with showing emotions and if people are gonna say there’s something wrong with that then those are… pic.twitter.com/g70Pj8iaV4
— Marco Foster (@MarcoFoster_) May 12, 2025
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That’s a strong message from a young man still in high school. While the internet can often be cruel, Gus handled it with grace and courage.
Many people don’t know that Gus faces some real challenges every day. He lives with ADHD, an anxiety disorder, and something called a nonverbal learning disorder (NVLD). These conditions can make school, friendships, and daily life harder than usual.
ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) can make it tough to focus or sit still. Anxiety can cause constant worry or fear. And NVLD makes it hard to understand things like facial expressions, tone of voice, or body language—even when someone speaks clearly. But none of these things mean Gus isn’t smart or capable. He’s learning how to use his challenges as strengths.
“We figured out I have challenges, but also strengths,” Gus said, noting how “routine” and “consistency” help him thrive.
That’s an important lesson. Everyone struggles with something. But having support, structure, and understanding can make a huge difference. Gus is lucky to have that support from his family—and they’re fortunate to have him, too.
NVLD is not as well-known as ADHD or anxiety. It affects how the brain understands nonverbal information, including things like where your body is in space, how far away an object is, or whether someone is joking or serious. People with NVLD often do well in school regarding reading or writing, but they may struggle in gym class or group conversations.
By sharing this, Gus is helping others who might feel alone. Many young people don’t even know they have NVLD until later. By speaking up, he’s making it easier for others to understand and accept their challenges.
Despite all the attention, Gus sees his dad as just a “regular old dad.”
“Golfs with me, make food, clean the cars, everything like that,” Gus said. “In that moment, it was something bigger. It was just surreal.”
It’s refreshing to hear that—even though his dad was in the national spotlight during the election—Gus still sees him as a regular, loving parent. That strong bond made the DNC moment so special for many people.
Featured image via Screengrab
