'I will own up when I misspeak': Walz talks misstatements, abortion debate in Fox News interview

Democratic Vice Presidential candidate Tim Walz defended his record as the governor of Minnesota and discussed everything from Middle East policy to his past misstatements and gaffes during a rare national television appearance Sunday.

Making his first appearance on a Sunday morning political talk show since becoming a VP candidate, Walz joined "Fox News Sunday" after largely avoiding major interviews with national media in recent weeks.

The governor repeatedly turned questions about his record into criticisms of former President Donald Trump, slamming him on everything from his stance on abortion access to his economic stewardship.

Still, Walz also was repeatedly asked about his own leadership in his home state. He was pressed on a Minnesota abortion law he signed and what extent it allows the procedure late in a pregnancy. He said the Minnesota law “puts the decision with a woman and her health care providers.”

Some Republican lawmakers and candidates across the country have alleged that Democrats widely want people who are pregnant to be able to obtain an abortion at any time, even if they are weeks from potentially giving birth.

Abortions in the third trimester of pregnancy are already rare, and they typically occur because of serious fetal abnormalities. In 2019, about 93% of abortions occurred at or before 13 weeks of gestation. About 1% of abortions occurred at 21 weeks or later, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The governor accused Trump of supporting a national abortion ban, though the former president has explicitly said he wouldn’t block abortion nationwide. Asked if Trump is lying, Walz said “yes, of course.”

FILE PHOTO: Democratic vice presidential nominee, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, delivers remarks at an election campaign event in Superior, Wisconsin, U.S. September 14, 2024. REUTERS/Erica Dischino/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Democratic vice presidential nominee, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, delivers remarks at an election campaign event in Superior, Wisconsin, U.S. September 14, 2024. REUTERS/Erica Dischino/File Photo

Walz and Democratic nominee Kamala Harris have taken a cautious and limited approach to media appearances in recent weeks. But The Democratic candidates are ramping up their media schedule in the closing weeks of the campaign.

Harris sat for an interview with the CBS program “60 Minutes” and has other interviews scheduled, including with less traditional outlets like the "Call Her Daddy" podcast.

However, Walz didn't specifically answer every question in his first appearance on a so-called Sunday show. Asked if he supported Israel engaging in a preemptive strike against Iran nuclear or oil facilities, Walz was noncommittal, saying: “Specific operations will be dealt with at the time.”

The governor also was confronted about multiple instances where he has misrepresented aspects of his life, including his military service, travel to China and fertility issues.

Asked whether people can trust him, Walz said “I will own up when I misspeak, I will own up when I make a mistake” and then trained his fire on Vance, pointing out he refused to acknowledge at the debate that Trump lost the 2020 election.

“I think they’re probably far more concerned with that,” Walz said.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tim Walz talks misstatements, abortion debate in Fox News interview