'That's my dad!': Gus Walz has emotional reaction during Tim Walz's DNC speech

In a touching moment, the youngest child of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz had an emotional reaction during a speech from his dad during the Wednesday night program of the 2024 Democratic National Convention.

Walz, the vice-presidential running mate of Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris , accepted his party's nomination for vice president on Wednesday, addressing the convention in the evening's keynote speech. Part of his acceptance speech included directly speaking to his family, sitting in the United Center in Chicago: wife Gwen, 23-year-old daughter Hope and Gus, his 17-year-old son.

“Hope, Gus and Gwen – you are my entire world, and I love you,” Walz said.

Gus Walz sprung from his seat , moved by his father's words, mouthing "That's my dad! That's my dad!"

He pointed his index finger, saying "I love you, dad."

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Gus Walz has a 'secret power'

Gus Walz, 17, is the youngest child of Walz and Gwen Walz. He has ADHD, a nonverbal learning disorder and an anxiety disorder. In a recent statement to People Magazine, Walz and his wife, both former teachers, they had noticed his differences at an early age, and said they never considered his conditions to be an obstacle.

"Like so many American families, it took us time to figure out how to make sure we did everything we could to make sure Gus would be set up for success as he was growing up," the couple said.

"It took time, but what became so immediately clear to us was that Gus’ condition is not a setback — it’s his secret power," they added.

Media reactions to Gus Walz at the DNC

Gus' emotional, proud reaction to seeing his dad on stage at the DNC brought reactions from networks covering the event that, for a moment , transcended partisan politics.

On Fox News, Martha MacCallum and Dana Perino both talked about how moving the moment was, the Arizona Republic, part of the USA TODAY Network, reported.

"I love Gus Walz," Jen Psaki, an MSNBC host and former White House press secretary, said. "I'm going to start ugly crying just talking about him."

Dana Bash, on CNN, said, "That is the clip-and-save moment that everyone is going to be seeing. If you didn't get moved by that moment, I don't even know. What a remarkable moment just in American life."

On X, MSNBC host Stephanie Ruhle was moved even before the big moment, posting, "Forget politics. If you aren't moved seeing 17 yr old Gus Walz in tears watching his Dad walk on stage as the Vice Presidential nominee. ... then please just move on."

Contributing: Bill Goodykoontz, Arizona Republic.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'That's my dad!': Gus Walz has emotional reaction during Tim Walz's DNC speech