The children of Melissa Hortman, a Minnesota state lawmaker who was tragically killed, are calling on President Trump to take down a misleading video from his Truth Social account. The video ties the state’s governor, Tim Walz, to Hortman’s death, perpetuating conspiracy theories without basis. Hortman and her husband, Mark, were murdered in June during what authorities deemed politically motivated shootings.
Details of the Incident
On the same day as the Hortman shootings, State Senator John Hoffman and his wife were also attacked at their home. Vance Boelter, the alleged gunman, is charged with multiple counts, and his arrest initiated the largest manhunt in Minnesota’s history. He faces federal murder charges and has pleaded not guilty.
Reactions to the Video
Governor Walz criticized Trump’s post as “dangerous” and emphasized its potential to incite further violence. In a statement, Walz condemned the president’s actions, stating, “America is better than this.” He referred to the claims in the video as unfounded and harmful.
- Colin Hortman: Requested Trump to remove the video and apologize for misusing his mother’s memory.
- Sophie Hortman: Described the video as a painful distortion of her mother’s final vote and condemned it for promoting division.
The Hortman children emphasized the emotional toll this video has on their grieving process, particularly following the recent holidays spent without their parents. They called for a compassionate response from Trump and urged for the misinformation to be taken down.
Support from Other Families
The Hoffman family, also affected by the recent violence, expressed solidarity with the Hortmans. They echoed the plea for Trump to retract the video, highlighting the dangerous implications of perpetuating false narratives. “This moment calls for responsibility and compassion,” they stated, advocating for decency in public discourse.
The White House has yet to respond to the inquiries regarding the video shared by Trump. Recently, the Trump administration has focused on alleged fraud in Minnesota’s state programs, with ongoing federal investigations into various related matters.
Conclusion
The Hortman family’s call for action reflects a broader need for sensitivity in political discussions, especially in light of recent tragedies. The integration of false narratives into public discourse can have detrimental effects on society.
