A viral video shared on Instagram claims 2024 Democratic vice presidential nominee and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz purportedly said, “We can’t afford four more years of this,” in reference to his running mate 2024 Democratic nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris.

 

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Verdict: False

While Walz did say, “We can’t afford four more years of this” during a 2024 campaign rally in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, according to Fox News, his comments were not made in reference to Harris. The outlet reported that Walz was speaking about gun violence when he noticed an attendee who “appeared to need water.”

Fact Check:

A new survey from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research shows 2024 Republican vice presidential nominee and Ohio Sen. JD Vance is less popular among voters than Walz, the outlet reported. According to the same poll, around half of registered voters have a “somewhat or very unfavorable view of Vance,” compared to 3 in 10 voters who have a negative view of Walz, the outlet indicated.

The Instagram video, viewed over 21,000 times as of writing, claims Walz purportedly said, “We can’t afford four more years of this,” in reference to Harris. The video shows Walz speaking at a 2024 campaign event.

“Tim Walz: ‘We can’t afford four more years of this.’ Kamala is in office right now. She’s the ‘this,'” text that appears on the video reads.

The claim is false. While Walz did say “We can’t afford four more years of this” during a 2024 campaign rally in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, according to Fox News, his comments were not made in reference to Harris. According to the outlet, Walz was speaking about gun violence when he noticed an attendee who “appeared to need water.”

“Things like we did in Minnesota, to have enhanced background checks and red flag laws, to get guns out of there, to make a difference,” Walz said, the outlet indicated. “And I still got my guns to go shoot pheasants in a couple weeks….We need some water, can we get [a] check on him?” he added, directing his attention to the audience member.

“I’ll bring her home here quick, folks: Look, Kamala Harris made it clear these guys want to instill fear,” Walz later resumed his speech. “They want to tell you that [you should] just get over it, it’s a fact of life. This is the way it is.”

“[Harris] simply has said it doesn’t have to be this way. It doesn’t have to be this way. We can’t afford four more years of this,” he said, the outlet reported.

Likewise, Walz does not appear to have issued a press release or social media statement responding to the claim. Harris also has not publicly commented on the claim. (RELATED: No, Kamala Harris Was Not Intoxicated During Her Speech)

In addition, Check Your Fact found no credible news reports to support the claim. Actually, the opposite is true. On September 24, PolitiFact reported the claim was false. The outlet cited the original video of the rally, which indicated Walz’s comments were not made in reference to Harris.

Check Your Fact has contacted Walz’s office for comment.