Over the past few weeks, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has found himself at the center of an unusual media storm, largely driven by a rather trivial incident: the way he drinks his milkshake. Walz, who is a prominent figure in Democratic politics, has been targeted by Fox News pundits, who are now focusing on an unexpected aspect of his behavior—his use of a straw to drink a milkshake. This peculiar focus has led to wider discussions about masculinity, political attacks, and the lengths some media outlets will go to criticize public figures.
Why Is 'Walz' Trending?
The name 'Walz' has recently gained traction in political and media circles due to Fox News commentators targeting the Minnesota governor in an attempt to undermine his public image. The controversy began when Fox News host Jesse Watters took issue with Walz using a straw to drink a milkshake, branding it as a sign of weak or "un-masculine" behavior. This has sparked considerable debate, as many see the criticism as a desperate and baseless attack on the governor's character.
The incident has led to a flurry of reactions from all sides of the political spectrum, with comedians, media outlets, and even political pundits weighing in on how absurd the situation has become. Thanks to this unusual attention, 'Walz' has become a trending topic, with traffic surging across social media platforms and news websites.
Who Is Tim Walz?
For those unfamiliar, Tim Walz is the Governor of Minnesota, first elected in 2018 after serving several terms in the U.S. House of Representatives. A member of the Democratic Party, Walz has been an advocate for progressive issues, including healthcare reform, education, and environmental policies. His leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic and his handling of civil unrest in Minnesota have made him a key figure in national Democratic politics.
However, his recent surge in media attention has less to do with his policies and more to do with an odd focus on his eating habits—specifically, his preference for using a straw to drink a milkshake.
The Straw That Broke the Camel's Back
The controversy caught fire when Fox News host Jesse Watters criticized Walz for drinking his milkshake with a straw, implying that such behavior was somehow indicative of a lack of masculinity. Watters' commentary was part of a broader pattern where Fox News pundits have been attempting to find new lines of attack against Democratic leaders—including Vice President Kamala Harris and Walz—though many of these attacks have been deemed trivial or baseless.
In a recent op-ed by Margaret Sullivan for The Guardian, she noted that right-wing pundits are "grasping at straws" with these attacks, as they struggle to find substantial criticisms that resonate with voters. Sullivan points out that the focus on trivial matters like how someone drinks a milkshake is a sign that these media outlets are running out of meaningful arguments.
Jesse Watters' critique of Walz’s straw usage has been met with mockery from other media personalities. In a USA Today article, the absurdity of the situation was highlighted, with the author sarcastically agreeing that using a straw is "horribly un-masculine." The article pokes fun at how absurd it is to scrutinize something as trivial as drinking a milkshake with a straw, a behavior most people would consider perfectly normal.
Seth Meyers and the Late-Night Response
Comedian Seth Meyers also chimed in on the controversy, offering his take during the monologue of his late-night show. Meyers ridiculed the idea that there is a "masculine way" to drink a milkshake, humorously pointing out the sheer ridiculousness of the attack. According to an article by The Daily Beast, Meyers quipped, “I wasn’t aware there was a masculine way to drink a milkshake,” effectively mocking the premise of Watters’ critique.
The late-night host’s remarks helped to amplify the public's perception that this entire controversy was blown out of proportion. Meyers, like many others, highlighted the disconnect between what Fox News was focusing on and what really matters to the American public.
An Example of Political Desperation?
The focus on Tim Walz’s milkshake habits has led many to question the motivations behind such critiques. As Margaret Sullivan noted in her Guardian article, the increasing focus on trivial issues such as this highlights a broader trend of desperation among right-wing commentators. When substantive policy critiques are hard to come by, focusing on trivial matters like straws and milkshakes seems to be a last-ditch effort to undermine political opponents.
While the attacks on Walz may seem laughable on the surface, they also reveal the lengths to which some media outlets will go to discredit political figures. What started as a lighthearted moment involving a milkshake has turned into another example of how polarized political discourse has become in recent years.
Conclusion
The bizarre controversy surrounding Tim Walz and his milkshake has been a case study in how modern media, particularly certain segments of it, can elevate trivial matters into national talking points. While the criticism of Walz’s use of a straw may seem laughable, it underscores a broader issue: the increasing reliance on superficial attacks when substantive political discourse seems to fall short.
For now, it appears that Tim Walz's milkshake straw is the latest in a long line of strange political flashpoints. Whether or not this will have any lasting impact on his political career remains to be seen, but for now, it has certainly made for some entertaining headlines.