Michelle Obama recently lauded Gus Walz, the 17-year-old son of Tim Walz, Vice President Harris’s running mate, after his emotional reaction to his father’s speech at the Democratic National Convention went viral. In a heartfelt post on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday night, Obama shared her appreciation for Gus’s display of genuine affection. “I was profoundly moved by Gus Walz’s evident joy as he watched his father, Tim Walz, take the stage,” Obama wrote. “Thank you, Gus, for demonstrating what true love looks like.”
The young Walz gained widespread attention on Wednesday evening when cameras captured him in tears and proudly pointing out his father from the audience at the United Center, where Governor Tim Walz accepted the Democratic nomination for vice president. His visible pride and emotion resonated widely on social media.
This touching moment was met with accolades from many prominent figures, contrasting with the criticism faced by conservative commentator Ann Coulter, who mocked Gus Walz in a now-deleted post.
Obama’s message emphasized the importance of embracing sincere expressions of emotion rather than ridiculing them. “Let’s aim to be a society that supports warmth and vulnerability instead of belittling it,” she stated. “We could all benefit from Gus’s example in our lives.”
Michelle Obama herself received enthusiastic praise for her speech at the DNC on Tuesday, where she strongly criticized former President Trump and urged for unity and support for Harris.