Gus Walz wins the night • Minnesota Reformer

Sure, it was a good speech and all, especially since Gov. Tim Walz kept it less than 20 minutes.

Walz accepted the Democratic nomination for vice president of the United States by introducing himself to the American public with a mix of biography and shots at the Republican ticket.

But the star of the third night of the Democratic National Convention may wind up being 17-year old Gus Walz, whose sobbing celebration of his father — “That’s my dad!” he joyously yelled — has already captivated the internet. 

Gus was reacting to his father’s tribute to the family; Gus and his older sister Hope and Minnesota First Lady Gwen Walz “are my entire world,” Tim Walz said.

Even as Tim Walz walked on stage, however, Gus Walz was visibly choked up with emotion.

The Walzes relayed to People magazine recently that Gus, who will be a senior this year at St. Paul Central High School, has a non-verbal learning disorder, ADHD and an anxiety disorder.

“It took time, but what became so immediately clear to us was that Gus’ condition is not a setback — it’s his secret power,” the Walzes told People.

Eric Garcia, an MSNBC columnist and author of a book on autism, wrote this week that the Walzes should be applauded for how they’ve approached Gus’ future: “What makes the Walz family’s story so reassuring is that they seem to want to help Gus live a good life rather than change who he is.”

Minutes after Walz finished his address to largely positive reviews, Gus Walz and “That’s my dad” were trending on the social media platform X.

Dads and everyone else were in agreement that it was the most authentic moment of public filial love in memory.

Another point of agreement: Do not mess with Gus:

A note of caution for Gus: Stay off social media, and finish school.