Tim Walz surprises Democrats by attending DNC's LGBTQ+ caucus meeting, says he feels 'grateful'

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS: Vice-presidential candidate Tim Walz made an unexpected appearance at the Democratic National Committee's Hispanic Caucus meeting on Monday morning, August 19, sparking gasps and cheers across the convention hall.

It was the first of several surprise appearances Walz made to try and energize people as the convention got underway. He also attended the Black Caucus breakfast meeting on Monday, August 19, as well as the morning gathering of the Wisconsin and Pennsylvania delegations.

What did Tim Walz say to the gathering’s attendees?

“I can’t tell you how grateful I am to the leadership in this room,” Walz told the gathering’s attendees, according to The Hill. “The civil rights and human rights leaders in this room are what this country was founded on, and the work that you’ve done is transforming lives every day, every single day,” he added.

Tim Walz touted the positive energy

After joining Kamala Harris on the party's presidential ticket, Tim Walz has been experiencing a lot of positive energy and joy on the campaign trail. He encouraged those in attendance to keep pushing for Democratic victories this November.

“This is challenging work. This is hard. There's a lot at stake,” he told the Hispanic Caucus as attendees swarmed closer to the stage to take pictures and video. “But that's no different than a lot of people live their lives. It can be challenging and hard, but you can do it with a sense of optimism and, what (Harris) is doing, with a sense of joy, with a sense of joy. To smile,” he added.

“(Republicans) are on her because she laughs,” Walz scoffed, adding “My God, I'll take someone who laughs any damn day of the week.”

Tim Walz has been a longtime LGBTQ rights advocate

A longtime supporter of LGBTQ rights, who played a key role in making Minnesota a haven for LGBTQ Americans, Tim Walz urged the assembly to keep their "eye on the prize" during the final 78 days leading up to the election.

“When it feels like it’s getting hard, and it feels like it’s a slog and it feels like people are putting out misinformation, keep your eye on the prize,” he said, adding "Because again, 78 days — for Christ’s sake, people in here been fighting these fights for decades.”

Internet says Tim Walz is a 'groomer'

Netizens mocked Tim Walz's unexpected appearance at the Democratic National Committee's Hispanic Caucus meeting on Monday, August 19. One X user tweeted, "This is not surprising because Walz is a groomer." Another added, " No surprise in that! Based on his mannerisms, Tim's pretty light in the loafers!" 

"Most of us are not surprised," remarked one. Someone else wrote, "No one is surprised. He's gradually coming out of the closet for all to see." 

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.