At a Glance
- Melissa Hortman’s children, Colin and Sophie, demand President Trump delete a Truth Social video implying Governor Tim Walz had a role in their parents’ June murder.
- The post revives an unfounded conspiracy tying Walz to state-program fraud and the killings; no evidence supports the claim.
- Both families wounded by the same gunman echo the plea, warning the rumor fuels the hatred that already left two dead and two injured.
- Why it matters: A grieving family’s private tragedy is being weaponized online, raising stakes for political rhetoric and platform accountability.
Colin and Sophie Hortman spent their first holidays without their parents, Melissa and Mark Hortman, after the couple was shot in their Minnesota home. Now they face a fresh blow: a viral video shared by President Trump that baselessly suggests Governor Tim Walz orchestrated the murders.
The Post That Reopened Wounds
Trump reposted the user-generated clip on Saturday; it layers debunked fraud claims onto the June crime already labeled “politically motivated” by investigators.
- Authorities charge Vance Boelter with the killings and the related shootings of State Sen. John Hoffman and his wife Yvette.
- Boelter was captured in the largest manhunt in state history, indicted federally in July, and pleaded not guilty in August.
- Zero court filings or public evidence connect the violence to Walz or program fraud.
Families Speak Out
Colin Hortman wrote:
> “I am asking President Trump to remove the video… and apologize… for using my mother’s own words to dishonor her memory.”
Sophie Hortman added:
> “This video promotes a false narrative which fuels the flames of political division… another hurdle our family must overcome.”
The Hoffman family stood alongside them:
> “Those claims reflect the same hateful falsehoods that motivated violence and cause more harm. Removing the post would be a necessary step toward decency.”
Walz Reacts
Governor Tim Walz, 2024 Democratic VP nominee, called Trump’s action:
> “Dangerous, depraved behavior from the sitting president… [it] will get more innocent people killed. America is better than this.”
Federal Fraud Probe-Separate From Murder Case
The Justice Department has pursued Minnesota fraud cases for years:
| Investigation | Feeding Our Future |
|---|---|
| Charges since 2022 | 70+ defendants |
| Community impact | Includes Somali Minnesotans |
No link between these indictments and the Hortman killings has been alleged in court.
White House Silent
The White House offered no comment on why the president shared the video or whether he will heed the families’ request.
Key Takeaways
- Two grieving children want a presidential post erased and an apology.
- The murder case and state fraud probes remain legally separate.
- Amplifying unproven theories, the families argue, risks inciting further violence.
Until the video comes down, Colin and Sophie Hortman’s mourning continues under a national spotlight they never sought.
