Minnesota Democratic Gov. Tim Walz sparked a wave of online reaction after mocking President Donald Trump over problems tied to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool cleanup, with critics quickly turning the focus back to a major fraud scandal that occurred in Minnesota during Walz’s tenure.
“Found an imaginary problem, said only they could fix it, didn’t listen to experts, hired buddies who grifted millions, failed miserably, bragged how great it went,” Walz wrote Friday in a post on X that drew more than 3.5 million views. “The entire Trump presidency in a nutshell.”
The governor’s comment came in response to reporting on difficulties the Trump administration has faced with the historic reflecting pool near the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC. Democrats have seized on the issue after peeling paint and algae appeared just weeks after completion of a $14.8 million restoration project.
While many Walz supporters embraced the dig, conservative commentators pushed back, arguing that his handling of fraud cases in Minnesota weakened his standing to criticize alleged mismanagement involving the Reflecting Pool project.
“I’m sorry, TIM WALZ is accusing someone else of enabling grifting?” journalist Mark Hemingway posted on X.
“From the dude who gave us all those ‘Learing Centers,’” Fox Business senior correspondent Charles Gasparino posted on X.
“Tim Walz: Are you describing yourself?” Minnesota Staff Fraud Reporting Commentary, an account representing more than 480 Minnesota state employees who say they have raised concerns about fraud in the state, posted on X.
“Ya might want to sit this one out…,” Sal Nuzzo, executive director of Consumers Defense, posted on X.
“Actually, the problems were very real: 9% inflation, an open border with 20M+ illegal crossings, fentanyl killing 100K Americans a year, factories shipped overseas, energy dependence, and cities that couldn’t keep the lights on,” former Trump White House spokesman Harrison Fields posted on X. “Voters didn’t imagine those — they lived them. That’s why you’re a retiring governor and failed VP nominee.”
Conservative influencer account Gunther Eagleman accused Walz of presiding over Minnesota’s fraud scandal, posting on X, “Says the biggest fraudster in Minnesota.”
“Crazy, you found an imaginary war record,” Republican Rep. Derrick Van Orden posted on X in response to questions about Walz’s recollection of his military service while running for vice president in 2024.
Fox News Digital reached out to Walz’s office for comment.
“Of the MANY Statues and Fountains that we rebuilt, renovated, cleaned, and fixed, the only one that was Vandalized was the Reflecting Pool, which is being taken care of, ASAP!”
Trump posted on Truth Social on Monday after alleging vandalism at the Reflecting Pool, where law enforcement activity and cleanup efforts have drawn national attention.
“It has been given a 300 foot long gash, chemicals have been illegally placed in the water, and the beautiful new grass field has been destroyed with a gigantic 86 47 chemically carved into it (Probably inspired by Dirty Cop, James Comey!). Please remember that there is a 10 year prison sentence for the destruction, or even the attempted destruction, of such things – Which will be fully enforced! Thank you for your attention to this matter. President DJT.”
