UPDATE: Democratic leaders are vehemently condemning President Donald Trump for his incendiary claims regarding the tragic death of former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman. In a series of posts on Truth Social, Trump implied that Minnesota Governor Tim Walz played a role in Hortman’s assassination, stirring outrage among political leaders and the public alike.
Hortman, along with her husband, was fatally shot in their Brooklyn Park home on June 14, 2023. The attack, which also claimed the life of their dog, has left their community reeling. The suspect, Vance Boelter, is facing both state and federal charges for this heinous crime, as well as for the shootings of Senator John Hoffman and his wife that same night. He remains in custody at Sherburne County.
In a powerful statement, House DFL Leader Zack Stephenson expressed his disbelief and anger, stating, “Tonight, Donald Trump, who couldn’t be bothered to lower the flags to half staff or even say Melissa Hortman’s name until now, is spreading outrageous lies about her death.” He added, “Melissa Hortman and Tim Walz were friends and allies. Anyone who claims otherwise is lying.”
The outrage extends beyond Minnesota. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, chair of the Democratic Governors Association, and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, vice chair, issued a joint statement condemning Trump’s remarks as “dangerous and hateful lies.” They emphasized the responsibility of leaders to unite communities rather than incite division with baseless conspiracy theories.
Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy called Trump’s posts “soulless,” highlighting the potential dangers of such rhetoric. “Lying about the assassinations of the Hortmans puts people in danger and fans the flames of political violence,” she stated. Murphy urged every Minnesota Republican to denounce Trump’s actions, demanding accountability for “mocking tragedy and hurting people already suffering.”
In response to the controversy, Speaker of the House Lisa Demuth, a Republican from Cold Springs, acknowledged the tragedy, stating, “Melissa Hortman was a friend and colleague, and her life was cut short far too soon in an unspeakable act of evil.” Demuth, who is campaigning against Walz for governor, reaffirmed that those responsible for such violence must face justice.
The political fallout from Trump’s claims is ongoing, with calls for bipartisan condemnation growing louder. Beshear and Whitmer have urged all political leaders, regardless of party affiliation, to stand against such harmful rhetoric.
As this story develops, the implications of Trump’s comments will likely reverberate throughout Minnesota and beyond, as leaders grapple with the intersection of political discourse and public safety.
Stay tuned for updates as this urgent situation unfolds.
