Tim Walz says he misspoke when he claimed he was in China during Tiananmen Square massacre

Summary

In this segment, Governor Walz responds to a question about a discrepancy regarding his travels to Hong Kong during the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests. Walz admits to misspeaking about the exact timing of his trip, explaining that he traveled to China later that year. He reflects on his rural upbringing, his service in the National Guard, and his career as a teacher and politician. Walz emphasizes his commitment to his community and bipartisan work, while critiquing former President Trump's approach to China, particularly in relation to COVID-19 and trade policy.

Takeaways

• 🗣️ A conversation about healthcare is expected to happen soon.
• 📋 The moderator mentions they will cover multiple topics in the discussion.
• ❓ The question is raised about Governor Walz's leadership qualities.
• 🗓️ Governor Walz mentioned being in Hong Kong during the Tiananmen Square protests in the spring of 1989, but reports suggest he didn't travel to Asia until August of that year.
• 🌍 Governor Walz explains that he grew up in rural Nebraska, a town of 400 people, and joined the National Guard at 17.
• 📚 Walz highlights his use of the G.I. Bill to become a teacher, which became his passion.
• 🇨🇳 He traveled to China in the summer of 1989, which made a significant impact on him, leading to programs that took young people to China for cultural exchanges.
• 🤝 Walz emphasizes his bipartisan work in Congress, including on farm bills and veterans' benefits.
• 📢 Walz admits to sometimes getting caught up in rhetoric but maintains that his focus is always on serving his community.
• ✏️ Walz acknowledges that he misspoke about the timing of his trip to Hong Kong during the democracy protests.

Q & A

What was the focus of the conversation at the beginning of the script?

The conversation began with a mention of healthcare, implying that this was one of the topics to be addressed.

What leadership qualities were being questioned in this discussion?

The question was about Governor Walz's leadership qualities, specifically referencing his experience in China during the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests.

What is the key discrepancy mentioned in the discussion regarding Governor Walz's timeline in China?

The discrepancy was between Governor Walz's claim of being in Hong Kong during the Tiananmen Square protests in spring 1989, and reports from Minnesota Public Radio stating that he did not travel to Asia until August 1989.

How did Governor Walz respond to the question about the discrepancy in his timeline?

Governor Walz acknowledged the discrepancy, explaining that he misspoke and clarifying that he traveled to China during the summer of 1989.

What personal background did Governor Walz provide during his response?

Governor Walz described his upbringing in small-town Nebraska, his service in the National Guard, his use of the G.I. Bill to become a teacher, and his early career experiences.

What activities did Governor Walz say he was involved in after his initial trip to China?

Governor Walz stated that he started a program to take young people to China, including basketball teams and dancers, to promote learning and cultural exchange.

How did Governor Walz connect his experience in China to his leadership style?

He emphasized his commitment to serving his community, learning from his experiences abroad, and his bipartisan work in Congress, including on farm bills and veterans' benefits.

What criticism did Governor Walz make regarding Donald Trump in relation to China?

Governor Walz criticized Donald Trump for praising Xi Jinping during COVID-19 and starting a trade war, suggesting that Trump would have had a different perspective if he had visited China with him.

How did Governor Walz describe his approach to leadership and his values?

He described his leadership as being rooted in community service, whether through teaching, being a good soldier, or serving in Congress, emphasizing his dedication to doing his best for his community.

What was the final clarification Governor Walz offered regarding the timeline discrepancy?

Governor Walz reiterated that he misspoke about the timeline and confirmed that he was in Hong Kong and China during the democracy protests, using the experience to learn and grow.