Deceptively edited clip of Tim Walz's 2022 MSNBC interview goes viral in conservative circles

WASHINGTON, DC: An out-of-context edited clip of Tim Walz's December 2022 interview with MSNBC's Maria Teresa Kumar has gone viral within conservative circles.

During the interview, the Democratic VP pick had said, "There’s no guarantee to free speech on misinformation or hate speech, and especially around our democracy," a line that's highlighted in the viral video. 

Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris named the Minnesota governor her running mate on Tuesday, August 6, elevating him to join the Democratic ticket and help lead the party’s fight to defeat GOP candidate Donald Trump.

Conservative organization Fire is one of the groups that shared the clip on X (formerly Twitter), writing, "Each day, the American people face the all-important task of perpetuating self-government through reflection, debate, and choice."

They added, "Free speech is the most effective tool we have at our disposal to inform ourselves. If the government obtains the power to suppress protected speech as 'hateful' or 'misinformation', make no mistake: that power will be abused."

Tim Walz and Maria Teresa Kumar's conversation revolved around voter intimidation and getting people correct information

According to Mediaite,  the complete discussion between Tim Walz and Maria Teresa Kumar had more to it, specifically revolving around voter intimidation and getting people accurate information about where you can vote.

During the interview, the MSNBC host said, "I want to just, before I ask you another question, I want to talk about what you just mentioned about misinformation — because oftentimes before, in previous political chapters, disinformation — telling people where to vote the wrong way — these were called 'shenanigans', but it’s becoming more ominous." 

She followed it up with the question, "Can you talk a little bit about that and what you do to ensure that there are penalties for that?"

Walz replied, "Yeah. Years ago it was the little things, telling people to vote the day after the election. And, you know, we kind of brushed them off. Now we know it’s intimidation at the ballot box. It’s undermining the idea that mail-in ballots aren’t legal."

He added, "I think we need to push back on this. There’s no guarantee of free speech on misinformation or hate speech, and especially around our democracy."

"Tell the truth where the voting places are, who can vote, who’s able to be there? And I, you know, watching some states continue to weaken the protections around the ballot, I think, is what’s inspiring us to lean into this," further mentioned the Minnesota governor. 

Internet defends Tim Walz as an edited clip from a 2022 MSNBC interview goes viral

Netizens defended Tim Walz as an edited clip from his 2022 with Maria Teresa Kumar gained fire on social media. 

One wrote, "Shame on y'all for not showing the entire clip, which was about election fraud and voter intimidation and harassment," while another added, "Context matters. show the whole clip."

One more netizen said, "Walz definition is correct, both legally and morally. Their are consequenses for defamation, lying, bearing false witness and yelling 'fire' in a crowded theatre," whereas a person expressed, "Everyone knows the only way Republicans can win is if they lie and cheat."

Someone else mentioned, "MAGA has to edit Walz's comments to make them look bad when all the Dems need to do is play Vance's comments in full."

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.