In a surprising turn of events, former President Donald Trump has announced that the estranged brother of Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz has endorsed him, despite Jeff Walz stating earlier today that he has no plans to publicly support the ex-president. Trump's claim was accompanied by an unverified viral image purporting to show members of the Walz family wearing pro-Trump T-shirts.

Jeff Walz took to Facebook to clarify his stance on politics, explaining that his family had not been given any advance notice regarding his brother's selection as Vice President Kamala Harris' running mate. He further expressed that his decision to share his political views on Facebook was not the best choice of platform. While speaking to NewsNation, he revealed that he and his brother have barely spoken since their younger brother's funeral in 2016, aside from a brief conversation in which he declined to provide tax information to Harris's vetting team.

Tim Walz, currently serving his second term as the Governor of Minnesota, previously represented a rural district in the Minnesota House for 12 years. Before entering politics, he worked as a high school teacher and football coach, boasting a career spanning 24 years in the National Guard. Having relocated to Minnesota with his wife in the 1990s, Walz's favorability rating stands at 36% among U.S. adults, according to an Associated Press/NORC poll, with 25% viewing him unfavorably.

In contrast, Republican vice presidential candidate Senator JD Vance has a favorability rating of 27% among respondents, while 44% view him unfavorably. As the election draws near, these percentages may play a crucial role in shaping the candidates' campaigns and ultimately sway voters' decisions come November.

It remains to be seen whether this endorsement controversy surrounding the Walz family will have any significant impact on the race for the vice presidency. As the campaign trail continues, the spotlight will undoubtedly intensify, shedding light on the candidates' past accomplishments, public image, and policy stances, which could ultimately determine the outcome of the election.