The children of slain Minnesota lawmaker Melissa Hortman have asked former President Donald Trump to remove a Truth Social video that amplifies an unproven conspiracy linking Governor Tim Walz to her June killing. Authorities have identified Vance Boelter as a suspect; he was indicted on federal murder charges and has pleaded not guilty. Investigators say there is no evidence tying Walz to the murders. The Hortman and Hoffman families, along with Governor Walz, condemned the reshared video and urged its removal.
Hortman Children Urge Trump To Remove Truth Social Video Amplifying False Claims About Her Death
Melissa Hortman was killed last year in what authorities described at the time as a "politically motivated" shooting. (Glen Stubbe / Star Tribune via Getty Images file)
The children of slain Minnesota state lawmaker Melissa Hortman are publicly asking former President Donald Trump to remove a Truth Social post that amplifies a conspiracy theory linking Minnesota Governor Tim Walz to her killing.
The request comes after Trump reshared a video — originally created and circulated by other social media users — that makes unsubstantiated claims connecting alleged fraud in state programs and Governor Walz to the June murders. Investigators and authorities say there is no evidence supporting that link.
What Happened
Melissa Hortman, a Democrat, and her husband, Mark, were fatally shot in June at their home in what authorities described at the time as a politically motivated attack. State Senator John Hoffman (D) and his wife, Yvette, were also shot and wounded in a separate incident the same day.
Vance Boelter of Minnesota has been identified as the suspect. Authorities conducted what they described as the largest manhunt in state history to locate him. Boelter was indicted on federal murder charges in July and pleaded not guilty in August.
Families Respond
On Sunday, Melissa Hortman’s children, Colin and Sophie Hortman, issued separate statements asking Trump to take down the post and to apologize for sharing misinformation that uses their mother’s words.
“I am asking President Trump to remove the video that he shared and apologize to me and my family for posting this misinformation and for using my mother’s own words to dishonor her memory,” Colin Hortman wrote.
“This is a painful, false twisting of my mother’s final vote,” Sophie Hortman said. “The video being shared by the president is another hurdle our family must overcome in grieving the loss of my parents, Mark and Melissa, and their beloved dog Gilbert. I ask President Trump to please consider the pain and sadness we have faced and to take down the post on Truth Social.”
The Hoffman family released a statement supporting the Hortmans and called on Trump to remove the post. “Those claims reflect the same hateful falsehoods that motivated violence and cause more harm,” their statement said, urging responsibility and compassion.
Official Response And Context
Governor Walz condemned the reshared material, calling it “dangerous, depraved behavior” and warning that spreading unproven allegations could put more people at risk. The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment about the Hortman children’s appeals or about why Trump reshared the video.
Trump reshared the clip amid a broader, ongoing spotlight on viral allegations of fraud in some Minnesota state programs. The Department of Justice has been investigating fraud claims in Minnesota for several years; a probe involving the nonprofit Feeding Our Future has led, since 2022, to criminal charges against more than 70 people, including some members of the state’s Somali community.
Family members and local leaders say removing the post would be a necessary act of decency while investigations continue and the community continues to grieve.
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