Conservative commentator Ann Coulter was roundly criticized on social media over a now-deleted post in which she mocked the behavior of the son of vice presidential nominee Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) at the Democratic National Convention.
“Talk about weird …” Coulter posted on X alongside a link to an article about Walz’s son, Gus, getting emotional during his father’s Wednesday speech in Chicago.
Gus Walz became most emotional when his father addressed the family directly, speaking about the family’s fertility struggles.
“Gus, Hope and Gwen, you are my entire world and I love you,” the governor said, referring to his son, daughter and wife.
“That’s my dad!” the younger Walz shouted through tears.
The Walz family has been open about Gus’s neurodiversity. He has a nonverbal learning disorder and ADHD.
The reaction went viral online, and Gus’s new fame is focusing attention on learning disabilities.
Rep. Marc Molinaro (R-N.Y.) posted a screenshot of Coulter’s post on X saying he may not agree with the vice presidential candidate on political issues, but he believes “in shielding our children from attack.”
“His son Gus, our kids – neurodivergent and of all abilities – ought to be celebrated and supported,” Molinaro said. “I’ve done it my whole career and will continue to push for everyone to #ThinkDIFFERENTLY.”
ThinkDIFFERENTLY is an organization created by Molinaro that helps communities support people with special needs.
Shannon Watts, the founder of Moms Demand Action, said in her own post that she is neurodivergent. She was diagnosed at 14 with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder and several learning disorders.
“We’re not weird, we’re wonderful,” her post online said. “And we’re your family, friends and fellow Americans.”
Coulter’s post suggesting Gus Walz was “weird” is a nod to the Minnesota governor using the descriptor for former President Trump and his running mate, Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio).
The phrase caught on, and many high-profile Democrats have used the messaging since Vice President Harris announced her campaign.
Coulter previously said she will be voting for Trump despite thinking he is an “awful, awful person,” because he chose Vance as his running mate.
In another post on X, reported by Raw Story, Coulter said she deleted her post about Gus Walz because “someone told me he’s autistic.”
“But it’s Democrats who go around calling everyone weird thinking its hilariously funny,” she said.