President Trump apparently still has some hard feelings about the 2024 election. Asked Monday whether he planned to call Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the bottom half of the opposing ticket, after a gunman targeted Democratic lawmakers in the state more than 48 hours earlier, Trump told reporters it would be a waste of time, per the New York Times.
It's customary for presidents to call state leaders after deadly shootings and other tragedies, but Trump "seemed perplexed" by the question as he flew home from Canada late Monday, per the Times. "I'm not calling him. Why would I call him?" he asked reporters, describing Walz as "whacked out" and "a mess." "The guy doesn't have a clue," Trump continued. "I could be nice and call him, but why waste time?" That was condemnation far more severe than Trump offered on the suspected shooter or attack itself, per the Independent.
"Well, it's a terrible thing," Trump said of the attack, then immediately heaped more criticism on Walz. "I think he's a terrible governor. I think he's a grossly incompetent person," he said. Critics suggest this is in keeping with "a pattern of refusal to condemn political violence outright when it is committed by the far-right," per the Independent. A longtime friend and roommate described the suspect as a Trump supporter, though members of Trump's circle have disputed that, with Laura Loomer falsely portraying the suspect as a participant in anti-Trump protests. (More President Trump stories.)