GREEN BAY, Wis. — In the aftermath of the vice presidential debate, Democratic nominee Tim Walz has adopted a more assertive campaigning style, contrasting with the reserved demeanor he has displayed since joining the ticket.
On Monday, wearing khakis and a navy Harris-Walz sweatshirt, Walz launched some of his strongest critiques of former President Donald Trump. Sporting his signature flannel while campaigning in rural Pennsylvania, Walz appeared more relaxed and engaged, having moved away from the formal blue sport coat and white collared shirt he had favored for months.
Walz is also set to return to the television spotlight, with upcoming appearances on “The View” and “The Daily Show,” as revealed by a campaign representative. He gained attention earlier when he described the GOP ticket as “weird” during a cable news interview.
“I’m one or two interviews from being a regular on Fox News,” Walz noted during a campaign event in Valencia, Pennsylvania, where he aimed to connect directly with undecided Fox News viewers after previously appearing on “Fox News Sunday” for two consecutive weekends.
This shift marks a “more aggressive” campaign strategy for Walz following his recent debate with Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance. Prior to this, he had largely been absent from the media since becoming the Democratic vice presidential candidate.
In recent weeks, Walz has been actively touring key swing states, engaging with various media platforms, and intensifying his attacks on the Trump-Vance ticket.
“Donald Trump, over the weekend, was talking about using the U.S. Army against people who disagree with him,” Walz stated. “He referred to it as the enemy within, claiming that anyone who disagrees with him is the enemy. I mention this not to instill fear, but because we need to defeat him and move on from this figure.”
Throughout his campaign, Walz has frequently highlighted Trump’s age, referring to him as a “nearly 80-year-old,” reflecting the Democratic campaign’s evolution following President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the race. This week, he suggested that the 78-year-old Trump hasn’t shared his medical records because he “forgot” to do so.
While campaigning in Pittsburgh on Tuesday night, he remarked, “If this was your grandfather, you would take the keys away,” referencing Trump’s decision to play music instead of engaging with voters during a rally in Pennsylvania.
Walz is now actively participating in numerous local television and radio interviews daily, joining podcasts, and even making a late-night appearance on “Jimmy Kimmel Live.”
“I wish this race wasn’t so close,” Walz said at a fundraiser in Pittsburgh’s Squirrel Hill neighborhood. He then quoted his wife, Gwen, advising him, “As my wife says, quit wishing about it and do the work.”