Tim Walz's brother supports his criticism of the governor's policies but believes Facebook "wasn't the appropriate platform" for sharing his opinions.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz's brother, Jeff Walz, expressed regret on Tuesday for drawing attention to himself after stating on social media last week that he is “100% opposed” to his brother's political views and is considering endorsing former President Donald Trump.

In an interview with NewsNation, Jeff Walz acknowledged that he didn’t aim to influence public opinion with his posts, which indicated his support for Trump over his brother's and Vice President Kamala Harris's campaigns. He clarified that he has no intention of actively campaigning for or against anyone in the upcoming November election.

Jeff Walz had previously revealed on Facebook that he hasn't spoken to Tim in eight years and opposes his brother’s ideology. In response to a suggestion that he endorse Trump publicly, Jeff mentioned he was torn between respecting his family's privacy and keeping Tim from ascending to higher office, hinting at “stories” about the governor that could negatively affect his reputation.

“I’ve thought hard about doing something like that!” he noted about a potential endorsement. “I’m torn between that and just keeping my family out of it. The stories I could tell. Not the type of character you want making decisions about your future.”

Reflecting on his social media posts, Jeff Walz admitted he regretted them, explaining that he made them to clarify his political stance to friends who assumed he shared Tim's views. “It was a post that – that I made because I was getting a lot of feedback from my friends, old acquaintances, thinking that I was feeling the same way that my brother did on the issues, and I was trying to clarify that just to friends,” he said. He recognized that Facebook was not the best platform for such clarifications.

He expressed sadness over the distance between him and his brother and voiced hope that they could still maintain a civil relationship despite their disagreements. Jeff shared a light-hearted memory from their childhood, noting that there is nothing hidden or scandalous about their past that would reflect poorly on Tim.

While Jeff Walz did not disclose whom he would support in the November election, his political leanings have favored Trump since at least 2016. He had previously donated to Trump’s campaign and expressed satisfaction living in Florida, especially after the 2022 elections, where he noted the strong performance of Governor Ron DeSantis.

Jeff is one of three siblings of Tim Walz, who also has a sister, Sandy, living in Nebraska, and a brother, Craig, who passed away in 2016. This family dynamic echoes a common theme seen in politics, where relatives of candidates, such as Trump and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., have criticized their family members' political aspirations.