Former President Trump hailed Vice President Harris’ decision to add Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (D) to the Democratic ticket, calling it a “shocking choice.”
“I would say my reaction is I can’t believe it. I never thought I would be chosen,” Trump said Wednesday morning in an interview with Fox News’ “Fox and Friends.”
“He is a very liberal man and a shocking choice,” the former president added. “I couldn’t be more thrilled.”
Trump called Walz a “smarter version” of Harris and “almost the same as Bernie Sanders,” referring to the independent senator from Vermont. Walz’s voting record showed that he is much more moderate than Sanders.
The GOP candidate also attacked Walz as weak on immigration and “too strong on transgender.” Walz signed legislation as governor of the North Star State protecting access to gender-affirming care.
Trump told Fox News he thought Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) would have been a stronger choice than Walz, and echoed claims from other Republicans who suggested the governor was passed over for the job because of his Jewish heritage.
“I have little doubt… it was because of the fact that he’s Jewish, and they think they’re going to offend somebody else,” Trump said, repeating his earlier claim that any Jew who votes for Democrats should “have their head examined. “
Harris announced Tuesday that she chose Walz as her running mate after a quick two-week vetting process. Harris interviewed Walz, Shapiro and Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) for the position.
The vice president ended up opting for Walz, largely because of the chemistry that the two managed to develop in a short time, but also because of his training and political history.
Walz was born in Nebraska, served in the military and worked as a high school teacher before serving six terms in Congress. As governor, Harris noted that he signed legislation designed to protect abortion access, reduce gun violence and enshrine voting rights.
The governor has had a meteoric rise to the national spotlight in recent weeks, helped in part by his description of Trump and Republicans as “strangers.”
The Trump campaign also criticized Harris’ decision, calling Walz a “West Coast wannabe.”
This story originally appeared on thehill.com read the full story
