Tim Walz’s child Gus illustrated it all, and during his address at the Democratic National Convention; he became a symbol of both pride and love for many. With tears in his eyes from pride over how far he has come along before his dad, people watched him with baited breath.
In social media circles, this purportedly conservative analyst sparked some controversy when she tweeted about Gus’ sad moment saying “weirdest thing ever”. People quickly got mad.
Coulter’s joke was met with an immediate and fierce reaction with critics pointing out the insensitivity involved particularly given that Gus has a non-verbal learning disability, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and anxiety problems.
Prominent voices like former Obama staffer Tommy Vietor and gun safety advocate Shannon Watts condemned Coulter’s remarks. Watts emphasised that neurodivergent individuals are “wonderful,” not “weird.”
Despite deleting the post, the criticism continued. Coulter’s actions ignited a larger conversation about online cruelty and the need for compassion, especially toward those with disabilities.
Public figures, including Jesuit priest James Martin and historian Ruth Ben-Ghiat, reminded everyone of the importance of kindness and empathy. They pointed out how the incident reflects broader societal issues.
The incident has left a lasting impression on social media, where the hashtag “He’s 17” trended, signalling widespread support for Gus Walz and a collective stand against online bullying.