Celebrities react to Tim Walz running mate pick

Celebrities are reacting to the news that Vice President Kamala Harris has chosen Tim Walz, the folksy governor of Minnesota, to be her running mate in the 2024 election.

With just over three months until the November election, Democrats look to build on Harris’ razor-thin lead over former President Donald Trump. Walz and Harris are set for their first campaign rally in Philadelphia later on Tuesday.

Walz, now in his second term as governor, has gained recognition for his progressive policies while also maintaining an ability to appeal to both urban and rural voters. His selection aims to balance the Democratic ticket, leveraging his Midwestern roots and legislative success to attract a broader base of support.

Now various celebrities have shared their thoughts about the decision on X, formerly Twitter.

Newsweek emailed Walz via a Harris spokesperson for comment on Tuesday.

Kellyanne Conway, who gained national recognition as Trump’s campaign manager during his successful 2016 presidential bid, shared her thoughts on the decision.

“Tim Walz? What a relief,” she posted online.

Conway previously praised Trump for picking Vance as his running mate in a post to X: “Senator @JDVance1 represents a new generation of America First warriors. His life experiences and vision equip him to fight for the forgotten men, women and children alongside President Trump. Let’s win in 2024!”

Resharing the news on X that Walz was picked, Fox News commentator Tomi Lahren simply wrote: “Cringe.”

Lahren previously rebuked Vance over his “childless” criticism of Harris, calling it a “bad move” that could cost Republicans the election.

Cynthia Nixon also weighed in on the decision, sharing a video of herself drinking from a coconut to the social media platform. This is in reference to a popular meme that has been made out of Harris’ speech she made at a White House swearing-in ceremony in May 2023, during which she told members of the audience that her mother used to remark: “I don’t know what’s wrong with you young people. You think you just fell out of a coconut tree?”

At the time, the comment was met with laughter and amusement but it has now gone viral online, with Harris’ comments being included in a popular TikTok sound.

“I’m Walzing on air! Thank you @kamalaharris,” Nixon captioned the video, which has the TikTok song playing over the top.

Hollywood actor Bette Midler, who is a frequent critic of Trump, also shared the news to her X account, writing: “Kamala has chosen Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate and here’s what he has to say:”

Her post was accompanied by a screenshot of an article that shared Walz’s response to the news of his selection.

“‘Excitement in the air, feels like the first day of school, and as a football coach, we’re back on offense,’ Walz said in a video message on X in support of Harris’ campaign. ‘Vice President Harris is bringing the energy, making sure she’s gonna be there to protect the democracy, and … bringing back some joy to our politics,'” the screenshot reads.

British TV personality Piers Morgan—who often weighs in on U.S. politics—took to X to criticize Walz’s selection, posting: “Kamala Harris may have just lost the election with this VP pick. Has a Sarah Palin feel to it, albeit for different reasons.”

Actor Jamie Lee Curtis showed her support for the decision on Instagram, sharing a picture of Harris and Walz.

“LET’S GO AMERICA!” she captioned the post, tagging the Instagram accounts of both politicians.

Actor Julianne Moore shared the same picture as Curtis on Instagram and wrote: “This is such exciting news! I cannot wait to vote for this ticket @kamalaharris @timwalz Text REGISTER to 644-33 to check your voter registration to make sure you are ready to vote.”

Walz’s national profile started to rise after he became the first Democrat to publicly label Trump and Vance as “weird“—a narrative that has since been seized upon by Democrats.

He brings a unique national political resume: He was a noncommissioned Army officer, public schoolteacher, and state high school championship football coach before entering politics. As a congressman, he represented Minnesota’s 1st Congressional District—a long-considered GOP bastion—and was reelected five more times.