Minnesota Governor Tim Walz delivered a fiery speech over the weekend in South Carolina, calling on fellow Democrats to take a more aggressive stance against former President Donald Trump. Speaking at a Democratic Party-organized event, Walz used strong language to express frustration with the former president and encouraged his party to respond with equal intensity.
“Maybe it’s time for us to be a little meaner, a little bit more fierce,” Walz said during his remarks. The statement was met with enthusiastic applause from the crowd. Throughout the speech, Walz made repeated references to bullying, a theme he used to describe Trump’s political style.
“The thing that bothers a teacher more than anything is to watch a bully,” he said, referring to his background as an educator. “And when it’s a child, you talk to them and you tell them why bullying is wrong. But when it’s an adult like Donald Trump, you bully the [expletive] out of him back.”
Tim Walz Urges Democrats to Be More Aggressive Towards President Trump: “You Have to Bully the Sh*t Out of Him”
pic.twitter.com/hfjWbFlhvv pic.twitter.com/gT9Vp2j3ov— Sandy (@SD73660) May 31, 2025
The governor also described Trump as a “wannabe dictator” and said he represents an “existential threat” to the country. Walz warned Democrats that difficult times may be ahead, saying, “We’re in for a challenging few years.” He added, “We’ve got the guts and we need to have it to push back on the bullies and the greed.”
HOLY CRAP! Tim Walz unleashes on Donald Trump;
“I’m getting called out on this because I called Donald Trump a wannabe dictator? It’s because he is. Maybe it’s time for us to be a little meaner, a little more fierce… When it’s adult like Donald Trump, you bully the shít out of… pic.twitter.com/Ma7jhocb19
— Ron Smith (@Ronxyz00) May 31, 2025
Walz’s speech comes as he continues to raise his national profile, visiting key battleground states and increasing speculation about a potential 2028 presidential bid. While he has not formally announced any plans to run, political analysts have pointed to these appearances as possible groundwork for a campaign.
However, recent polling suggests that Walz may face challenges gaining traction on the national stage. According to a YouGov poll released last month, only three percent of Democrats named him as the leader of the party. He trailed behind more well-known figures, including Vice President Kamala Harris, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
When asked about hypothetical support in a Democratic presidential primary, Walz performed better. The same poll showed 38 percent of respondents would consider voting for him, placing him in a tie with Ocasio-Cortez and slightly ahead of Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren. Still, Vice President Harris remained the clear favorite in that poll, with 58 percent saying they would consider supporting her.
Walz previously served as the running mate on the 2024 Democratic ticket alongside then-Vice President Kamala Harris. That campaign was unsuccessful, with President Trump returning to the White House following his election victory over Harris.
The governor’s remarks in South Carolina drew attention not only for their tone but also for their potential implications. As Democrats look toward the future, Walz appears to be positioning himself as a passionate and outspoken voice in the party. Whether that approach will resonate with voters in the coming years remains to be seen.
