Ben Shapiro’s attempt to insult Tim Walz with outdated jab falls flat

Ben Shapiro’s remark followed Tim Walz’s engaging performance at a rally with Vice President Kamala Harris
PUBLISHED AUG 8, 2024
Ben Shapiro tried to insult Minnesota Governor Tim Walz by calling him a 'Marxist Don Rickles' on X but the attack backfired (Getty Images)
Ben Shapiro tried to insult Minnesota Governor Tim Walz by calling him a 'Marxist Don Rickles' on X but the attack backfired (Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC: On Wednesday, conservative commentator Ben Shapiro made a valiant but unsuccessful attempt to insult Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.

Shapiro's effort fell flat, partly because it inadvertently made Walz appear more relatable and engaging.

Ben Shapiro’s 'Marxist don rickles' remark follows Tim Walz’s rally with Kamala Harris

Ben Shapiro took to X (formerly Twitter) to criticize Tim Walz, commenting, “Weird move for Kamala to select Marxist Don Rickles, but here we are.”



 

This remark came shortly after Walz had delivered a memorable performance at a rally in Philadelphia with Vice President Kamala Harris.

Ben Shapiro’s 'Marxist Don Rickles' insult misses the mark

During the event on Tuesday, Vice President Kamala Harris' running mate Tim Walz, humorously expressed his eagerness to debate Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance, provided Vance would “get off the couch and show up.”

The “couch” reference was a nod to a discredited online rumor suggesting that Vance had included an anecdote about his encounter with a couch, while he was in college, in his 2016 memoir 'Hillbilly Elegy'.

(Tim Walz/X)
Tim Walz on Tuesday targeted Republican rival JD Vance using a couch joke (Tim Walz/X)

Additionally, Walz has gained attention for his “Republicans are weird” quip, made during an interview last month, which has resonated with the Democratic base.

Shapiro’s attempt to label Walz as a “Marxist Don Rickles” clearly aimed to discredit the governor by comparing him to a fictionalized, extreme version of the famous insult comic.

However, the reaction to Shapiro’s post indicates that the jab missed its mark, further endearing Walz to his supporters rather than diminishing his appeal.

Social media reacts

Social media users had a field day with Ben Shapiro’s attempt to discredit Governor Tim Walz by comparing him to a “Marxist Don Rickles.”

One user wrote, "Lmao they insist on comparing him to comedians everyone loved."



 

Another user commented, "Now I'm imagining Walz at the VP debate telling Vance to "get a horse and live in the mountains someplace and don't bother anybody" and that he "has a personality like a dead moth."



 

Another user said, "Wow you guys are struggling."



 

One individual stated, "“Tim Walz is bald and heavyset” I type furiously, knowing the left is powerless against my great debating prowess."



 

Another said, "You Republicans are so mad about this pick, which must mean it was a good one!"



 

Someone else added, "Topical? Rickles has been dead for nearly a decade and I'll wager not one voter under 35 knows who he was other than the voice for Mr. PotatoHead in Toy Story movies."



 

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.

GET BREAKING U.S. NEWS & POLITICAL UPDATES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

'They went inside Venezuela, bombed civilian as well as military places, and it’s a violation of the law to do what they did,' Chuck Schumer claimed
5 hours ago
The Senate resolution would require Donald Trump to seek approval for Venezuela actions, as Adam Schiff warned of chaos without congressional consent
19 hours ago
Donald Trump rebranded the Monroe Doctrine as the 'Don‑roe Doctrine', urging US hemispheric control and revival of forgotten principles
1 day ago
Donald Trump dismissed constitutional concerns, framing the Democratic backlash as political self‑preservation rather than legal objections
1 day ago
Greg Brockman, the co-founder of OpenAI, donated a massive $25 million, making up 25% of the funds MAGA Inc raised between July 1 and December 22
1 day ago
'All Executive Orders issued on or after September 26, 2024, and in effect on December 31, 2025, are hereby revoked', Zohran Mamdani's order stated
2 days ago
Senator Sheldon Whitehouse alleged that Donald Trump's allies misused funds, citing luxury hotels, meals, and preferential contracts
2 days ago
Over 50 members from both parties announced plans to retire or seek other offices, citing personal strains and clashes with leaders and the president.
2 days ago
The Justice Department released court filings, emails, photographs, and flight records in December tied to Jeffrey Epstein
2 days ago
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's remarks framed Mamdani's leadership as a turning point, emphasizing inclusivity and ambition for working-class communities
3 days ago