Ben Shapiro Tries — And Fails — To Insult Tim Walz With Dated Reference
Conservative podcaster Ben Shapiro tried really, really hard to insult Tim Walz on Wednesday, but the attack failed to land, in part because it only made the Minnesota governor seem more appealing.
Shapiro took to X, formerly Twitter to note, “Weird move for Kamala to select Marxist Don Rickles, but here we are.”
Weird move for Kamala to select Marxist Don Rickles, but here we are. pic.twitter.com/nRT7VuFW8j
— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) August 7, 2024
Shapiro’s post came hours after a rally in Philadelphia with Vice President Kamala Harris where Walz brought down the house by joking that he “can’t wait to debate” Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance “if he’s willing to get off the couch and show up.”
The mention of the couch was a reference to a debunked internet joke that Vance supposedly had sex with a couch in college and wrote about it in his book, “Hillbilly Elegy.”
Walz is also credited with coming up with the “Republicans are weird” talking point that has so far been effective with the Democratic base.
Shapiro obviously hoped to convince social media that Walz is a Communist version of the legendary insult comic, but the attempted hit didn’t really land, based on the responses to the post.
“Hey, you know that American comic that has been beloved by the public for like a century? Yeah, apparently Kamala picked him for VP. What a blunder!” one person noted.
Hey, you know that American comic that has been beloved by the public for like a century? Yeah, apparently Kamala picked him for VP. What a blunder!
— William (@SadLexify) August 7, 2024
please don't compare me to Don Rickles I don't want people thinking I'm funny and smart
— χωρ?? ?? ζαχαρη (@horzac) August 7, 2024
Don Rickles fucking ruled
— Kristi Yamaguccimane (@TheWapplehouse) August 7, 2024
lmao they insist on comparing him to comedians everyone loved
— Lucha de' Medici ?? (@Luchadad_69) August 7, 2024
now I'm imagining Walz at the VP debate telling Vance to
"get a horse and live in the mountains someplace and don't bother anybody" and that he "has a personality like a dead moth"— Andrew. (@BUBAndrewBUB) August 7, 2024
Many people noted that Shapiro seemed to be grasping at straws, much like Fox News’ Kayleigh McEnany, who made a supercut on Tuesday that was meant to make to Walz sound bad — but actually made him look pretty good.
Wow you guys are struggling pic.twitter.com/xllJfObDEt
— B L A K E L E Y???? LLC (@_iamblakeley) August 7, 2024
If this really is all you have, then you really have nothing. The reason Trump is losing so much support is because of WEIRD attacks just like this. Yes, you all are weird.
Keep making fun of people all the way to the polls ??— Anonymous (@YourAnonNews) August 7, 2024
Oh you are trying hard. That's the best you could come up with?
— Denise (@everfaithfuldc) August 7, 2024
“Tim Walz is bald and heavyset” I type furiously, knowing the left is powerless against my great debating prowess.
— EyeOnStalk (@EyeOnStalk) August 7, 2024
You got nothing, huh?
— Eli ?? (@Eli_B_Again) August 7, 2024
You Republicans are so mad about this pick, which must mean it was a good one!
— Noah Gilbert (@Noahgilberto19) August 7, 2024
Some people thought that the reference to Rickles, who died in 2017 at the age of 90, was just a tad dated.
Topical?
Rickles has been dead for nearly a decade and I'll wager not one voter under 35 knows who he was other than the voice for Mr. PotatoHead in Toy Story movies.— Jewish Space Laser Technician (@BigTParker) August 7, 2024
Shapiro’s insult is similar to one tried by George H. W. Bush during the 1992 election when he referred to Bill Clinton and Al Gore as “bozos,” which inspired Clinton to respond, “All I can say is Bozo makes people laugh and Bush makes people cry.”
