CHICAGO — The third night of the Democratic National Convention was a star-studded event, including Oprah Winfrey, Stevie Wonder and former President Bill Clinton. And Vice President Kamala Harris’ nominee, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, introduced himself to the nation.
But it was the governor’s 17-year-old son, Gus, who stole the show.
As Tim Walz delivered his speech on the stage of the packed United Center, he emotionally called out to his family in the audience: “Hope, Gus and Gwen. You are my whole world and I love you,” Walz said.
Hope, 23, made a “heart” gesture toward her father with tears in her eyes. Gus, crying and overwhelmed by his emotions, began to clap, stood up, pointed to his father through tears and cheered, “That’s my father!”
The moment quickly spread across social media platforms, with commenters saying they enjoyed seeing Gus’s genuine and authentic display of love for his father.
Hope and Gus were born after the couple’s long struggle with infertility.
In an interview with People magazine in August, the Walz family said Gus has a nonverbal learning disorder as well as ADHD and anxiety.
“As our youngest son, Gus, grew up, it became increasingly clear that he was different from his classmates,” Tim and Gwen told the magazine in a statement. “Gus preferred to play video games and spend more time alone.”
“When he became a teenager, we learned that in addition to anxiety and ADHD, Gus also had a nonverbal learning disorder – conditions that millions of Americans also suffer from.”
The couple continued: “It took some time, but we immediately realized that Gus’ condition is not a setback – it is his secret strength.”
