In a campaign speech Thursday, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz made an unfortunate verbal error, mistakenly referring to Vice President Kamala Harris as a “young prostitutor.”
During the speech in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Walz was intending to refer to Harris's legal background as a prosecutor but misspoke in a disastrous way, as video posted to X reveals.
Walz’s slip has caused considerable concern for the Harris campaign, which is already facing challenges in regaining support from disillusioned voters. The Grand Rapids event was intended to help with outreach, particularly among the Muslim community.
Harris is said by some to be feeling regret over her decision to select Walz as her running mate. His verbal mistake may become a new point of contention, especially given the gravity of the campaign at this stage.
The error occurred while Walz was praising Harris for her long career in law, aiming to highlight her work as a prosecutor. Instead, he referred to her as a “young prostitutor,” a gaffe that has since circulated widely online.
What made the situation even more notable was Walz’s failure to acknowledge or correct the mistake during the speech, which left many audience members stunned. The awkward silence after his statement seemed to hang in the air.
Walz moved on from the error without pausing, creating a moment that felt uncomfortable for those in attendance. While campaign gaffes are not uncommon, this particular misstep has gained traction, drawing attention from both supporters and opponents.
The Harris campaign is now working to distance itself from any negative associations, especially given the sensitivity surrounding the error. Harris’s background in law has been a central part of her political identity, and moments like these have the potential to complicate that narrative.
There is no evidence to suggest that Kamala Harris has ever engaged in any inappropriate conduct in her personal or professional life. The incorrect term used by Walz has only added unnecessary distraction to the campaign’s messaging.
Despite Walz’s verbal slip, some critics have sought to draw attention to Kamala Harris’s past relationship with former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown. The then-mayor who was significantly older than Harris, was an influential figure during her early career in California politics. This relationship has been mentioned before in various contexts, with some claiming it played a role in her rise within California's political system. Harris, however, has always maintained her own accomplishments as the foundation of her success.
During a resurfaced interview from 1995, Harris was asked if she was Brown’s daughter, a question that left her momentarily taken aback. “No, I’m not,” she responded, visibly surprised by the suggestion.
As the Harris campaign continues to battle Republican candidate Donald Trump, moments like these can prove to be distractions from the central issues at hand. Harris, who once faced off against Joe Biden in the Democratic primaries, is no stranger to controversy but seeks to stay focused on the bigger picture.
With the election in full swing, the campaign is now dealing with the fallout of Walz’s error, attempting to refocus on core policies and outreach efforts, especially to groups like the Muslim community in places like Grand Rapids. Ultimately, the Harris-Walz campaign aims to put this moment behind them as they continue their fight for the White House.
