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President Donald Trump on Monday suggested that Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz could step down before the end of his term after the Democrat announced he would not seek reelection this year, citing what the president described as mounting corruption and fraud in the state.
In a post on Truth Social, President Trump accused Walz and other Minnesota officials of being involved in large-scale fraud, particularly within the Somali expat community.
“Minnesota’s Corrupt Governor will possibly leave office before his Term is up but, in any event, will not be running again because he was caught, REDHANDED, along with Ilhan Omar, and others of his Somali friends, stealing Tens of Billions of Taxpayer Dollars,” President Trump wrote.
“I feel certain the facts will come out, and they will reveal a seriously unscrupulous, and rich, group of ‘SLIMEBALLS,’” he added. “Governor Walz has destroyed the State of Minnesota, but others, like Governor Gavin Newscum, JB Pritzker, and Kathy Hochul, have done, in my opinion, an even more dishonest and incompetent job. NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW!”
The remarks come amid ongoing scrutiny of state-administered federal programs in Minnesota following multiple fraud investigations. Trump has repeatedly accused state officials of mismanaging funds and allowing systemic abuse within social service programs.
Walz posted a lengthy statement concerning plans to end his reelection campaign on Monday.
“”In September, I announced that I would run for a historic third term as Minnesota’s Governor. And I have every confidence that, if I gave it my all, I would succeed in that effort,” Walz began.
“But as I reflected on this moment with my family and my team over the holidays, I came to the conclusion that I can’t give a political campaign my all. Every minute I spend defending my own political interests would be a minute I can’t spend defending the people of Minnesota against the criminals who prey on our generosity and the cynics who prey on our differences,” he continued. “So I’ve decided to step out of the race and let others worry about the election while I focus on the work.”
“I know this news may come as a surprise. But I’m passing on the race with zero sadness and zero regret. After all, I didn’t run for this job so I could have this job. I ran for this job so I could do this job. Minnesota faces an enormous challenge this year. And I refuse to spend even one minute of 2026 doing anything other than rising to meet the moment. Minnesota has to come first – always,” Walz stated.