Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) is taking heat from all directions after claiming on a podcast that he could beat up most Trump supporters — a statement that drew a sharp rebuke from President Donald Trump and a challenge from wrestling legend Glenn Jacobs.
Walz, who ran alongside Kamala Harris during the 2024 election, made the claim during an episode of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s (D-CA) new podcast. “I think I can kick most of their a**,” Walz said while discussing how Democrats should fight back politically. The remark triggered laughter from Newsom but outrage across conservative media.
Trump didn’t hold back when asked about the comment from the Oval Office. “Oh boy, he’d be in trouble,” Trump said. “He’s a loser. He lost. He played a part — and it wasn’t a good one. He probably hurt Kamala’s chances.”
Stolen Valor Walz is now challenging Trump supporters to a fight…
Saying: “I think I can kick most of their ass!" pic.twitter.com/kumUIAZz6Q
— Wesley Hunt (@WesleyHuntTX) March 18, 2025
Adding fuel to the fire, WWE Hall of Famer Glenn Jacobs — known to wrestling fans as Kane — took to social media to call Walz out directly. Jacobs, who serves as mayor of Knox County, Tennessee, challenged Walz to a charity wrestling match and offered to kick things off with a $10,000 donation.
🚨Just in: Trump calls out Walz for saying he would kick Trump’s supporters butts:
“He's a loser. He lost an election. He played a part. Usually the VP doesn't play a part I think Tim played a part. He was so bad. I'd put him at the bottom of the group.”pic.twitter.com/HqV9aHsG9F
— The Calvin Coolidge Project (@TheCalvinCooli1) March 21, 2025
“Let’s put our money where our mouth is,” Jacobs wrote on X. “#TennesseeWalz #LetsDance.” He also posted a mocked-up image of Walz in a rainbow leotard stepping into the ring.
This morning I ran into @GlennJacobsTN, aka Kane, and asked him about Tim Walz saying he’d kick any MAGA voter’s ass.
Here’s what he has to say: pic.twitter.com/DsT8b7b8SN
— Brent Scher (@BrentScher) March 20, 2025
The controversy comes as Walz faces pressure over Minnesota’s defiance of President Trump’s executive order banning biological males from competing in women’s sports. The Minnesota State High School League recently said it would follow state law rather than federal mandates, keeping its policy that allows athletes to compete based on gender identity.
Tim Walz said republican Trump supporters are afraid of him. Republican mayor Glenn Jacobs, you maybe know him as Kane from the WWE, has challenged Tim Walz to a wrestling match.
I actually hope there’s some 200 year old clause none of us know about that can be invoked allowing… https://t.co/DDOwA8YodN pic.twitter.com/wraB0103sS
— S&N News, Politics and Sports (@Samantha_SN1) March 21, 2025
Former NFL safety Jack Brewer has also slammed Walz for pushing transgender policies and for what Brewer called a lack of masculinity. “He’s a disgrace to the football world,” Brewer told Fox News, criticizing the former high school coach’s leadership.
🚨 TIM WALZ ON TRUMP SUPPORTERS: “I think I can kick most of their ass.”
Bro, I think my GRANDMA could take you out with one swing.
Anybody getting their ass kicked by Tampon Tim? 🤣 pic.twitter.com/tCWCj3woPy
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) March 18, 2025
Despite the backlash, Walz hasn’t ruled out a 2028 presidential run. But a recent Morning Consult poll showed him pulling just 5% among Democrats and Democrat-leaning independents.
