Fact-checking: The truth behind strange conspiracy theory about Tim Walz’s dog

Kamala Harris’ running mate, Tim Walz, has been at the receiving end of many accusations. The Minnesota Governor—who Donald Trump is allegedly afraid of—found himself at the center of a new conspiracy theory this week. The allegations that surfaced had nothing to do with his political career but everything to do with his social media posts and his dog.

Walz got a dogfor his wife and children in 2018 after winning the election for Minnesota governor. He had promised his son Gus he would get him a dog if he won, and the Governor fulfilled his promise, reports Vogue. The dog was a black Labrador mix named Scout.

What is Tim Walz’s dog conspiracy theory?

On August 26, Minnesota GOP strategist Dustin Grage posted two screenshots of Walz’s X (formerly Twitter) account. In one post, Walz hugged his dog and wrote:

Sending a special birthday shoutout to our favorite pup, Scout.

In the other screenshot, Walz appeared to be kneeling down next to a different dog with a blue leash. He captioned that picture:

Couldn't think of a better way to spend a beautiful fall day than at the dog park. I know Scout enjoyed it.

Grage posted the comparison on X (formerly Twitter) and wrote:

Yes, this is Tim Walz tweeting about his dog Scout. Only problem is that these are two completely different dogs.

Interestingly, Turning Point USA founder and president Charlie Kirk reposted the tweet, saying ‘Tim Walz is an all-time legendary liar,’ and former University of Kentucky swimmer and political activist Riley Gaines also promoted the theory.

Soon after the theory gained traction, Walz’s X (formerly Twitter) account deleted the post with the different dog, reports Snopes. The action led many others to join the theory and call him a ‘liar.’ One wrote:

Tim Walz was caught lying once more, this time about his dog. He was called out on it and had to delete his post. Why can't he just tell the truth for once?

Fact-check: The truth behind Tim Walz’s faking dog conspiracy theory

The theory was swiftly debunked when the truth behind the two pictures came out. A community note added to Grage's tweet later informed that the second picture of Walz next to a different dog actually featured another dog his pet Scout played with at the park.

Walz’s Instagram has a video featuring the same dog and Scout at the dog park, reports MailOnline. The community note read:

The dog in the second photo is one Tim Walz met while taking Scout (from the first photo) to the dog park. Fuller video from that moment available on Tim Walz's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/timwalz/reel/CkBMwZGprB2/

The person who made the note also wrote:

It took me exactly 45 seconds to go to @Tim_Walz Instagram page and see this is a video of his dog Scout playing with another dog at the dog park.

Many others joined forces to debunk the false theory, suggesting Walz never said the dog in the picture was Scout; he simply implied that Scout enjoyed the dog park.

Read more:

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Sources used:

Vogue: Scout Walz Is Man’s (And Maybe America’s) Best Friend

Minnesota GOP strategist Dustin Grage’s Tweet propagating the theory

Snopes: Explaining Conservatives' Conspiracy Theory About Tim Walz's Dog, Scout

Tim Walz called a ‘liar’ Tweet

MailOnline: Fury as Tim Walz shares two photos 'of his dog Scout'... but all is not what it seems