A viral video purporting to show Minnesota Governor Tim Walz dancing to Beyoncé’s Texas Hold’em while wearing a red cowboy hat and black leather chaps made waves across social media on September 5, 2024. The video, shared by X (formerly Twitter) user @TexasRepublic71, featured an individual in a cowboy-themed outfit, but due to the blurry quality of the footage, the person’s identity was unclear. Some users speculated that it might be Tim Walz, igniting a storm of online banter and mockery.
The clip showed the person wearing glasses similar to those worn by Tim Walz, but the haziness of the video led to ambiguity. While the original poster didn’t directly claim that the individual was Walz, the caption playfully asked followers to guess who it could be. This fueled rampant speculation, and several users humorously suggested it was indeed the Minnesota governor.
Another X user, @merissahansen17, reposted the clip and added fuel to the speculation by tagging Walz with the caption “TIMMMMAY,” seemingly addressing him directly.
However, the video has since been debunked. A Community Note attached to @TexasRepublic71’s post clarified that the video was altered and linked to the original version. The footage originally belonged to drag performer Matthew Krumpe, who posted the clip on February 19, 2024. In the original video, Krumpe’s face is clearly visible, dispelling any notion that Tim Walz was involved. The viral clip was a deepfake, manipulated to suggest that the governor was the one dancing, but it was certainly not him.
This isn’t the first time Tim Walz has been the target of such doctored media. Earlier in August, a similar video circulated on Facebook showing a person in a cowboy hat and crop top dancing to GeekaLeek by OhGeesy feat. Cash Kidd. In that instance, the footage was also altered, with Walz’s face superimposed onto the dancer’s body, leading to further online mockery. The viral clip even led to Walz being jokingly dubbed “Tampon Tim” by internet users.
USA Today reached out to experts to examine the deepfake, including Hany Farid, a digital forensic specialist and professor at the University of California, Berkeley. Farid confirmed that the video had clear signs of face-swapping technology. He pointed out visible artifacts, particularly when the hand moved in front of the face, indicating the footage had been manipulated. He stated:
“This is clearly a face-swap deepfake in which the original face in the video was replaced with Gov. Walz’s face.”
The incident is part of a broader trend of deepfakes being used to mislead and entertain online audiences. These videos often blur the line between reality and fiction, making it difficult for casual viewers to discern what is real.
In another instance of viral misinformation surrounding Tim Walz, a photo was shared on September 4 by Charles Herbster, a former agriculture chairman for Donald Trump. The image showed the former president posing with people wearing shirts that read “Nebraska Walz’s for Trump,” which led to speculation that members of Walz’s family were Trump supporters.
However, the truth behind the photo was quickly clarified. Tim Walz’s mother, Darlene Walz, explained that the individuals in the picture were distant relatives, not immediate family. Her daughter, Sandy Dietrich, echoed her sentiments, stating that they were not closely acquainted with those family members. According to Forbes
Trump, however, took notice of the photo when it was reposted on Truth Social and mentioned Tim Walz’s estranged brother Jeff in a comment, thanking him for his alleged support. This fueled further speculation about a rift within the Walz family.
Jeff Walz’s own cryptic Facebook posts criticizing his brother’s political stances added to the controversy. However, in a September 6 interview with NewsNation, Jeff stated that he didn’t want his personal opinions to affect the public’s perception of Tim and urged voters to make their own informed decisions.
In conclusion, the viral video of Tim Walz dancing in a cowboy hat was a deepfake, not an authentic representation of the Minnesota Governor. While it may have amused many online, it highlights the growing prevalence of misinformation through altered media.