The Trump campaign has begun efforts to define Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as a candidate who could push the Democratic presidential ticket further left. Senior Trump campaign advisers and sources close to the former president revealed that they are focusing on Walz's record to portray him as aligned with progressive ideals.
Over the past few days, Trump's team has been gathering opposition research on Walz and other potential running mates for Vice President Kamala Harris. They aim to highlight Walz's alignment with progressive policies during his time in Congress and his support for the Biden administration's agenda.
One adviser remarked that Harris had chosen a White male candidate with similar progressive views, suggesting a strategic move by the Democratic ticket. The Trump campaign views Walz as an opportunity to revamp their strategy against Harris, who they have struggled to effectively target in recent weeks.
The campaign plans to attack Walz on various fronts, including his stance on immigration, gun control, law enforcement, ties to Rep. Ilhan Omar, economic policies, and foreign affairs. While Walz previously had NRA support for his gun rights position in Congress, his advocacy for gun safety measures as governor has led to a rift with the gun lobby.
By scrutinizing Walz's record over the past four years, the Trump campaign aims to portray him as out of touch with mainstream America and too closely aligned with progressive ideologies. This approach signals a shift in their campaign playbook and a new focus on countering the potential threat posed by Walz as a running mate.
