While addressing a rally in Detroit, Michigan, on Friday, Minnesota governor and vice presidential candidate Tim Walz stirred controversy with a remark that quickly went viral.
He was discussing the influence of billionaires when he referred to Elon Musk as “that gay guy,” a comment that sparked a mix of laughter and criticism both in the crowd and online.
“If you’re a billionaire—Elon Musk, for example, say—that guy, that gay guy… Michigan knows that word. Look, that dude got a tax cut…” Walz said, attempting to highlight the economic advantages received by billionaires like Musk.
The comment ignited a social media firestorm, with users expressing a range of opinions.
Some accused Walz of using “gay” as an insult, while others found humour in the situation.
One user on X wrote, “So Democrats are using the word ‘gay’ as an insult again, too?” Another added, “He’s clearly using “gay” as a slur. Anyone on the left going to call him out on that?”
Musk joined the conversation with a tweet, stating, “I have no problem being called gay tbh.” Musk’s response downplayed any potential offense and resonated with many on social media who echoed his sentiment.
Earlier this week, Walz had also mocked Musk, referring to him as the “running mate” of Donald Trump. He criticized Musk’s presence at a Trump rally in Pennsylvania, saying, “Elon’s on that stage, jumping around, skipping like a dipsh*t.”
As of now, the Harris-Walz campaign has not commented on Walz’s statements. The incident has added another layer of controversy just 4 days before the US elections.