Walz on Tiananmen Square screw-up: ‘I’m a knucklehead at times’

( The Hill ) – Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D), pressed at the vice presidential debate over false statements he made in which he said he was present during the Tiananmen Square protests in 1989, said: “I’m a knucklehead at times.”

Walz was pushed to reconcile public statements he made saying he was at the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests in Beijing with public evidence reported by news outlets including Minnesota Public Radio and APM Reports that he wasn’t in China at that time.

“Look, my community knows who I am. They saw where I was at. They — look, I will be the first to tell you I have poured my heart into my community. I’ve tried to do the best I can, but I’ve not been perfect, and I’m a knucklehead at times, but it’s always been about that,” Walz said, stumbling a bit over his words.

“Those same people elected me to Congress for 12 years,” Walz added.

Pressed again about the discrepancy between his remarks and public reporting on his travels to Tiananmen Square, Walz said “All I said on this was as I got there that summer and misspoke on this, so I will just — that’s what I’ve said.”

“So I was in Hong Kong and China during the democracy protest, and from that, I learned a lot of what needed to be in governance,” he added.

It’s not the first time Walz has been pressed about previous remarks he’s made – the Minnesota governor has been scrutinized over his portrayal of his military service and details of his family’s fertility journey.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.