Hope Walz, the 24-year-old daughter of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, took to TikTok on Christmas Eve with a holiday greeting — though it wasn’t quite the usual “Merry Christmas” message.
From Bozeman, Montana, where she’s spending the holidays working, the social worker and ski instructor shared glimpses of her festive, ski-filled life while checking in with family back home.
“I’m on skis every day, which I love,” she told her more than half a million followers.
“I bought myself some fun gifts I’m about to open.
My family’s in Minnesota — they’re all together playing Yahtzee.
I’ve talked to them all on the phone multiple times today.”
Her casual check-in, however, quickly shifted to heavier matters.
Turning Holiday Wishes Into a Call for Compassion
Walz didn’t shy away from speaking on political and social issues in her home state.
She acknowledged the uptick in ICE activity in Minneapolis and beyond, sending a message of solidarity to those affected.
“I’m holding all of our neighbors that ICE has been terrorizing close to my heart, sending them love and light,” she said.
“And also our unhoused folks, and anyone struggling right now. I hope you can hold them close too.”
She wrapped up the message with a reminder to cherish the people around you.
“Happy holidays. Have a wonderful, wonderful holiday with those you care about. I’ll see you soon,” she said.
From Political Daughter to Social Media Voice
Since last year’s election, Hope Walz has become a recognizable face in Democratic circles.
Her father ran as Kamala Harris’s running mate, and she has leveraged her platform to engage young audiences with a mix of politics, fitness, and pop culture.
Her posts mainly reach Gen Z women — a key demographic for the party, which Harris won by a narrower margin than Joe Biden did in 2020.
The Fallout From Trump’s Remark
Her Christmas post follows a tense few weeks.
Earlier this month, she deleted a profanity-filled TikTok responding to former President Donald Trump, who had called her father “retarded” on Truth Social.
The comment came in the wake of a New York Times report detailing over $1 billion stolen from Medicaid-funded programs in Minnesota, with many suspects from Somali immigrant communities.
Trump accused Governor Walz of inaction and incompetence.
Hope Walz defended her family fiercely, calling out the harassment she and her loved ones faced as a result.
“The president calling my dad what he did has unleashed a storm of offensive language toward me and my family,” she said in the deleted video, also highlighting the impact on her younger brother Gus, who has a non-verbal learning disability.
Family, Politics, and Public Scrutiny
She recalled a viral moment from last year’s Democratic National Convention, when Gus cried saying, “That’s my dad,” as Governor Walz accepted the vice-presidential nomination. The younger Walz described receiving abusive messages and even people shouting at her family in public.
Her father, meanwhile, has moved to close parts of the state’s housing program, admitting certain initiatives were beyond repair. Critics argue the fraud in social programs went unnoticed longer than it should have because officials feared accusations of racial bias or alienating the Somali community.
ICE Enforcement Sparks Controversy
In response to past fraud, ICE operations in the region have intensified, leading to complaints of Somali U.S. citizens being harassed or unfairly targeted. Protests have erupted, highlighting the tension between law enforcement and community members.
Even during the holidays, Walz’s message blended personal warmth with a reminder of ongoing struggles, signaling that political and social challenges in Minnesota remain very much alive.
Looking Ahead
As she continues to grow her platform and influence, Hope Walz seems poised to balance personal storytelling with advocacy — a combination that resonates with young audiences navigating both the festive season and a turbulent political landscape.
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