A recent photo making rounds on social media featuring eight individuals in “Nebraska Walz’s for Trump” T-shirts has caused quite a stir, especially since the Walz name is closely associated with Tim Walz, the Democratic vice-presidential nominee running alongside Kamala Harris. The group, wearing pro-Trump shirts beneath a “Trump 2024 — Take America Back” banner, has sparked curiosity and speculation about a family divide.
The image was first posted by Charles Herbster, a former Nebraska gubernatorial candidate who had received Donald Trump’s endorsement in 2022. Herbster’s spokesperson, Rod Edwards, later clarified that the people in the photo are distant relatives of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, confirming that “they’re all Walzes and spouses.” Former President Trump reposted the photo on his Truth Social platform, expressing his gratitude, stating, “It is a Great Honor to have your Endorsement. I look forward to meeting you soon!”
Distant Cousins: The Nebraska Walz Family Speaks Out
The individuals in the photo are the descendants of Francis Walz, a brother of Tim Walz’s grandfather. The Nebraska Walz family, in a written statement, confirmed their relationship to the Minnesota governor. They explained that shortly after Tim Walz was announced as the Democratic vice-presidential nominee, their family held a reunion, during which they decided to show their support for President Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance.
“The picture is real. The shirts are real. We are the Nebraska Walz family, and we are related to Gov. Tim Walz. Our grandfathers were brothers,” the statement read. The family noted that the shirts’ message, “Nebraska Walz’s for Trump,” speaks for itself, underscoring their political alignment despite being related to a high-profile Democrat. The image has since sparked discussions online, with some questioning how political divisions within families reflect broader national divides.
Tim Walz’s Sister Reacts to the Viral Photo
Sandy Dietrich, the sister of Governor Tim Walz, admitted that she suspected the people in the photo might be from a distant branch of the family. Dietrich, who lives in Alliance, Nebraska, explained that their side of the family was not particularly close to that of the Nebraska Walzes, and they had minimal interaction growing up. “We weren’t close with them. We didn’t know them,” she said.
Dietrich and her immediate family have remained staunch supporters of Tim Walz, identifying as “Democrats for Tim.” While declining to comment on the political stance of their distant cousins, she emphasized that she knows where her loyalties lie. “I know who I’m voting for. That’s all I can control,” Dietrich said, signaling her focus on supporting her brother’s campaign rather than engaging in a public family dispute.
Governor Walz’s Older Brother Criticizes His Campaign
While Sandy Dietrich is a vocal supporter of her brother’s candidacy, Tim Walz’s older brother, Jeff Walz, has been openly critical. Jeff, a resident of Freeport, Florida, has made headlines in recent days after posting on Facebook about his opposition to his brother’s ideology. “The stories I could tell. Not the type of character you want making decisions about your future,” Jeff Walz wrote, adding that he is “100% opposed” to his younger brother’s political views.
Jeff Walz also mentioned he had considered endorsing Trump but did not want to influence the political debate. He has since clarified in an interview with NewsNation that his Facebook post referred to childhood anecdotes rather than any deep political rift. “Nobody wanted to sit with him because he had car sickness and would always throw up on us,” Jeff recounted. Despite the tensions, Jeff expressed that he has no interest in furthering the controversy, stating he will not make additional comments on the matter.
