Megyn Kelly criticized Minnesota Governor Tim Walz for honoring George Floyd while allegedly failing to recognize fallen U.S. troops [1, 2].
The comments highlight a deepening ideological divide regarding how public officials balance civil rights acknowledgments with military honors. This friction often surfaces during national debates over police reform and the legacy of the 2020 protests.
Speaking during an interview on Sky News Australia with host Paul Murray, Kelly said that Walz demonstrated a misplaced set of priorities [2]. She specifically pointed to the contrast between the governor's public tributes and his perceived lack of attention toward service members who died in the line of duty [1, 2].
"He had no time at all to spare for the dead troops," Kelly said [2].
Kelly continued her critique by contrasting the governor's actions, stating, "But he did make time to pay homage to George Floyd" [2]. The commentator said that the level of reverence afforded to Floyd was disproportionate to the recognition given to the military.
"They are treating George Floyd like he’s Jesus," Kelly said [2].
The criticism follows a period of intense scrutiny regarding Walz's handling of the riots that followed the murder of George Floyd in May 2020. While the governor has faced various critiques over his response to those events, Kelly's focus remained on the symbolic weight of his tributes [3].
Walz has not issued a direct response to these specific remarks made during the Sky News Australia broadcast [2].
“"He had no time at all to spare for the dead troops."”
This dispute reflects a broader cultural conflict in the U.S. regarding 'symbolic politics.' By framing the governor's actions as a choice between civil rights figures and military personnel, critics seek to challenge the perceived priorities of Democratic leadership during times of social unrest.
