Minnesota Governor Tim Walz faced a barrage of tough questions during Tuesday night’s vice presidential debate, particularly regarding a new scandal that emerged just hours before the event. The scandal, tied to Walz’s alleged involvement with Chinese government officials, was initially raised by House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer (R-KY) on August 16, 2024.
Comer’s congressional investigation revealed that Walz had made at least 30 trips to China and ran a for-profit company, Travel Adventures Inc., between 1991 and 2003. The company organized trips to China for American children, sparking questions about the governor’s connections to Chinese officials during this period. Adding to the controversy, Walz was also a fellow at the Macau Polytechnic University while serving in the U.S. House of Representatives—a Chinese institution that openly expresses its devotion to China’s government.
When pressed on these issues during the debate, Walz initially dodged the question, trying to shift the focus elsewhere. However, the moderators pushed for a direct response, prompting Walz to deliver an awkward and stammering reply.
“All I said on this was I got there that summer and misspoke on this. So I will just, that’s what I’ve said,” Walz muttered. After a long pause, he added, “So I was in Hong Kong and China during the democracy protest went in,” leaving viewers perplexed by the incoherence of his statement.
Pre-Debate Jitters and Campaign Concerns
The timing of this scandal couldn’t have been worse for Walz, as CNN reported that he had been struggling to manage his nerves in the days leading up to the debate. According to multiple senior aides, Walz expressed deep concerns about performing poorly and letting down Vice President Kamala Harris, his running mate. Walz reportedly feared that his debate performance could leave Harris questioning her decision to pick him as her vice-presidential candidate.
One senior aide shared, “He feels genuine contempt for and confusion over what he views as Vance’s abandonment of their common roots, and for flipping so many of his positions to fit with Trump.” Walz, a Midwesterner at heart, reportedly expressed his frustration at debating J.D. Vance, who he saw as disconnected from their shared regional background, particularly when Vance joked about knowing few Midwesterners who went to Yale.
Vance’s Debate Skills Overshadow Walz
Throughout the debate, Vance’s debating prowess was on full display. Vance, who secured Donald Trump’s endorsement in his successful 2022 Senate campaign, is known for his sharp skills on the debate stage. He skillfully parried criticisms about his previous anti-Trump stance during the Republican primary and later outperformed U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan (D-OH) in their general election debate.
Walz’s anxiety about facing Vance was not unfounded. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) had previously noted that Walz might struggle against a seasoned debater like Vance, especially since he’s “just not a lawyer-debater type.” Klobuchar had even commented that Walz wasn’t the kind of politician who would have dreamed about debating as a child.
Indeed, Vance’s sharp responses and confident demeanor throughout the debate only magnified Walz’s stumbles. With Election Day looming, this debate performance—coupled with the emerging scandal—could have serious implications for the Walz-Harris ticket. As the investigation into Walz’s ties with China continues, questions about his leadership and transparency are likely to haunt the campaign in the crucial weeks ahead.
This could prove to be a critical moment in what may be the final debate between the major campaigns before voters head to the polls.