'Trump knows nothing about service': Tim Walz claps back at ex-POTUS over military record debate

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA: Minnesota Gov Tim Walz ripped into former president Donald Trump, claiming he "knows nothing about service," amid ongoing debate over the presumptive Democratic vice presidential nominee's military record.

Speaking to supporters at a campaign rally in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Saturday, August 10, the running mate of Vice President Kamala Harris voiced his pride in wearing the "uniform of this country" for 24 years, as per The Hill.

The controversy over Walz's military record was triggered by his Republican opponent, Sen JD Vance, who accused the Democrat of retiring before his unit's deployment to Iraq. The GOP vice presidential nominee, who is also a veteran, argued his rival's claim of being in the military was a "stolen valor."

Tim Walz's response to Donald Trump's criticism of his military career

"Each of you talk about service; Donald Trump knows nothing about service," said the Minnesota governor. "It's pretty hard to provide service to others when you're too busy looking out for only yourself."

Trump himself has been the center of scrutiny for avoiding the draft by receiving five deferments during the two-decade-long Vietnam War, including one for medical reasons and four for educational purposes.

Despite this, the real estate mogul took to Truth Social last week, labeling Walz as a "disgrace" in response to an opinion article that called out the Democratic running mate for abandoning his unit.

Following Vance's allegations, members who worked under Walz said that his decision had been made prior to their deployment orders. Besides the deployment controversy, the Minnesota governor was also accused of embellishing his military rank upon retirement and criticized for claiming to carry a weapon in combat despite never seeing war.

In Las Vegas, Walz also said that the GI Bill, which provides soldiers with academic assistance, helped him continue his college education.

The Harris running mate has made attacking Trump a focal campaign strategy despite his eleventh-hour entry into the race. Speaking at a campaign rally last week, he slammed the MAGA spearhead and Vance, holding the former responsible for Covid-19 deaths because he failed to address the pandemic quickly and for running the economy "into the ground."

Trump, on the other hand, continued his tirade against the Minnesota governor, calling him "very freakish" during his Montana rally on August 9.

Internet blasts Tim Walz for saying Donald Trump 'knows nothing about service'

Tim Walz's criticism of Donald Trump for deriding his military record drew backlash on social media. Netizens reminded the Democratic VP nominee that he was the one who walked away from his unit and lied about his record in the Army National Guard.

"Walz is a repulsive character," a user said.

"Yeah, not really the point, is it ? Trump never lied about his military record. Walz used it for years in his earlier campaigns as character, hero stuff. No matter how many times a lie is told. It's still a lie. Misspoke is a one-time or two. A political career, a pattern," another remarked.

"Trump has taken more bullets for this country than Tim Walz ever did. Walz was never in combat he just pretended he was to further his political career," read one response.

"Walz was not 'duly nominated' by Primary Voters -- Trump knows more about Democracy than Walz," added a user.

"Well it sounds like Tim and Don have something in common because Tim surely knows nothing about service other than running from it he was a weekend warrior one weekend the month stealing Valor from soldiers including the National Guard unit that deployed and filled his vacancy all while he sits around telling everyone about being in war," someone else opined.

"Trump is not the one that lied (misspoke) about his service," an individual wrote.

"Says the guy who walked away from his....and lied about it," read one remark.

"Walz knows how to lie about service! That is way worse!" Another user chimed in.

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