You'll recall in a previous newsletter that I'm quite impressed with the selection of Tim Walz as Kamala Harris' running mate. So it comes as no surprise that Walz's DNC speech moved me this morning, especially when the camera turned to his 17-year-old son, Gus, who was visibly overcome with emotion watching his dad accept the Democratic nomination for VP.
But any heartwarming feelings I had quickly vanished after learning of the right's extreme cruelty at this exact moment. My colleague Julia reports:
During his father’s speech, Gus was emotional—normal for anyone proud of a parent’s big moment, whether they are neurodivergent or neurotypical. On social media, the right’s response to Gus’ expressions and emotions has been really weird: just go to any replies to videos featuring Gus at the event. Even Ann Coulter chimed in with a tweet she then deleted.
In another since-deleted tweet, talk radio host Jay Weber tried to parody Tim Walz, tweeting, “Meet my son Gus. He’s a blubbering b*tch boy."
On so many occasions, calling out bad behavior on the right can seem obvious, sometimes even pointless. But these attacks on Walz's son are beyond hideous. Even I—someone who has had to pay close attention to such filth for a decade—am left stunned. Here's to hoping that the deletion of some of their posts is an indication this will be a brief, and unrepeated, attack tactic.
Before I go, I want to turn your attention to this scoop my colleague Noah just published, which has the full text of the speech the Uncommitted movement is desperately hoping to give before the convention closes. Democrats, as of this writing, still seem intent on rejecting their pleas to speak. So I urge you to read this text and judge for yourself whether that's warranted. I sure have my opinion on the matter.
—Inae Oh
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