Tim Walz, the Democratic Governor of Minnesota, made his late-night television debut on Jimmy Kimmel Live, where he showcased his affable personality and trademark “Minnesota Nice.” The atmosphere was predominantly jovial, with only a cursory reference to his recent vice presidential debate against JD Vance. Kimmel humorously observed that Walz had an endearing quality, likening him to someone who meticulously cleans the dryer lint after each use.
Only a fleeting mention was made of Walz’s debate performance, particularly his pointed inquiry to Vance regarding Donald Trump’s election legitimacy. Vance’s response—or lack thereof—was highlighted, with Walz noting, “That should have been the lead, 85 minutes before.” Kimmel wasn’t shy either, quipping about the political fallout faced by past vice presidents who openly declared Trump had lost the election.
During his visit to Los Angeles, Walz also took the opportunity to pay tribute to the Nova Music Festival Exhibition, commemorating the anniversary of the Hamas attack on Israel. As Kimmel probed into Walz’s days as a high school teacher, an amusing story emerged about his lunchroom duties. He recounted tackling a choking student, which humorously left him sentenced to annual lunchroom duty thereafter.
Walz’s conversation soon ventured into his unexpected missed call from Kamala Harris, who reached out to him regarding a potential vice presidential partnership. Mistaking her call for a telemarketer’s pitch, he initially ignored it, later humorously labelling her as “my dry cleaner” in his contacts.
Addressing contemporary issues, Walz spoke candidly about the urgent matter of school shootings and criticized proposals aimed at arming teachers, stating firmly that such ideas are misguided. He asserted that it is possible to introduce sensible regulations without infringing on the Second Amendment rights.
In a moment of ambition, Walz declared his intention to “wake up on November 6 with Madam President,” eliciting cheers from the audience. Kimmel cleverly responded that they wouldn’t be waking up together, hinting at the comical dynamics of political partnerships.
With his lighthearted approach and candid reflections, Walz’s appearance on Kimmel’s show not only entertained but also offered glimpses into his character and political aspirations.