Last night’s vice presidential debate between JD Vance and Tim Walz was more or less civil and didn’t set off a ton of fireworks.
However, during last night’s debate, Walz did make a shocking — and quite stunning — admission about his past ties to China.
Walz was pressed by moderators about falsely claiming he was in Hong Kong during China’s Tiananmen Square massacre in the summer of 1989.
CBS News anchor Margaret Brennan, one of the debate moderators, noted how multiple news outlets reported that Walz did not actually travel to Asia until later that year after the protests.
Walz’ response?
“I’ve tried to do the best I can, but I’ve not been perfect and I’m a knucklehead at times,” Walz said after insisting that the community that elected him to office “knows who I am.”
Walz later said he would concede there are times when he “will talk a lot” and “get caught up in the rhetoric.”
The “knucklehead” comment elicited some mockery and other critiques on social media.
Tim Walz is asked why he lied about being in China during the Tiananmen Square massacre: "I'm a knucklehead at times. Many times I will talk a lot. I will get caught up in the rhetoric." pic.twitter.com/uTmmeQk7a8
— TheBlaze (@theblaze) October 2, 2024
Needless to say, Walz’ “knucklehead” comment went viral on social media.
Moderator: Governor Walz, why did you lie about when you were in China?
Walz: I'm just a country boy knucklehead, aw shucks.
— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) October 2, 2024
First it was his bad grammar (to explain his lies). Now it’s “im a knucklehead”
— Megyn Kelly (@megynkelly) October 2, 2024
To her credit, Brennan continued to press Walz, repeating her question, asking if could “explain the discrepancy.”
Walz said he “misspoke.”
Moderator: "Can you explain the discrepancy?"
Walz: "I misspoke…" pic.twitter.com/nMXPXN3oPZ
— Daily Wire (@realDailyWire) October 2, 2024
Not exactly a boost of confidence, would you agree?