In a powerful and emotional appeal that underscores the ongoing national debate over political misinformation and social media responsibility, the adult children of former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman have called on former President Donald Trump to remove a widely shared video from his Truth Social account that they say distorts the circumstances of their mother’s death and fuels political division.
Their plea comes amid a broader backlash from political leaders across Minnesota and national commentators, who argue that the false narrative amplified in the video spreads misinformation about one of the most tragic episodes in Minnesota’s recent history — the fatal shooting of a prominent Democratic lawmaker and her husband in June 2025.
The Hortman children’s public statement highlights not only their personal grief but also the very real dangers posed by the viral spread of conspiracy theories on social platforms, especially when shared by influential political figures.
How the Controversial Video Spread and Why It Matters
The video shared on Truth Social — a platform closely tied to Trump — includes assertions that Minnesota Governor Tim Walz had some connection to the murder of Melissa and Mark Hortman, or that legislative decisions played a role in their deaths. These claims are widely debunked and do not align with evidence uncovered by law enforcement.
According to official accounts, the shooter — later identified as Vance Boelter — approached the couple’s home in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, in June 2025, posing as an officer, killed the Hortmans, and wounded another state lawmaker and his spouse minutes earlier. The suspect was later arrested after a widespread manhunt and has been federally charged with murder and attempted murder.
Yet despite these facts, the misleading video suggests unproven connections that link the governor and other political figures to the murders — creating a narrative that justice observers and the Hortman family say is dangerous and untrue.
The Children’s Appeal: Personal, Painful, and Urgent
In their statements, both Colin and Sophie Hortman expressed deep frustration at how their parents’ legacy is being mystified by the viral video and the platforming of falsehoods by powerful voices online.
Colin described how his parents were killed by someone who believed conspiracy theories and fake news, emphasizing that words matter and can have deadly consequences — especially when spread by a former U.S. president. Sophie echoed these concerns, saying that political hatred should not be fostered or amplified, especially when it can fuel division and potentially inspire further violence.
“Words matter. Sharing fake news is dangerous,” Colin said, underscoring the toll misinformation can take on a grieving family. Meanwhile, Sophie warned that spreading divisive content only serves to deepen mistrust and animosity among Americans.
The grieving siblings also tackled specific falsehoods in the video, particularly about a specific legislative vote their mother made shortly before her death. Speaking with local media, Colin said his mother wept when she explained that her vote was an attempt to prevent a government shutdown — not a vote against the interests of any group, as the video falsely implies.
Political Leaders Condemn the False Narrative
The appeal from the Hortman family has been joined by a chorus of political leaders from Minnesota and beyond. Governor Tim Walz called the spread of misinformation “dangerous, depraved behavior” and warned that promoting such narratives could put more innocent people at risk.
Other state lawmakers have similarly condemned the sharing of unverified and sensational content linking elected officials to acts of violence that have been thoroughly investigated and prosecuted. These leaders stress that political discourse must remain grounded in facts, not conspiracy theories, especially in the aftermath of violence.
This criticism reflects broader concerns about misinformation in politics — particularly when amplified by influential figures with large audiences. Experts warn that when political leaders share unverified videos or claims, it can distort public understanding and deepen political polarization, making healthy democratic debate more challenging.
What the Misinformation Claims and Why They Are False
The video shared by Trump includes several allegations that have no grounding in the official investigation into the shootings:
- It suggests an unproven link between Governor Walz and the motive or execution of the murders.
- It mischaracterizes a legislative vote by Melissa Hortman as connected to fraud or other wrongdoing.
- It implies political interference or motive without evidence from law enforcement records or court filings.
Federal investigators and local law enforcement have clearly outlined in court documents that the suspect acted of his own volition and was not directed by political leadership. Additionally, nothing in the official investigation supports the idea that legislative decisions made by Hortman were a motive for the attack.
In fact, the suspect’s own writings suggested delusional motivations and lacked credible evidence tying any political leader to the shooting. Courts have rejected the conspiracy narratives and are processing charges based on the suspect’s actions alone, not political actors.
Why This Story Resonates Nationally
The ongoing debate over misinformation and political rhetoric in the United States has taken center stage in recent years, as social media posts from public figures have been shown to influence public discourse and shape narratives long after events occur.
In this case, the spread of conspiracy theories around the deaths of a lawmaker and her husband — amplified by a former president — reflects broader anxieties about the role of social media in spreading falsehoods and the responsibilities of platform users, particularly those in leadership positions.
This issue has also sparked backlash from commentators and other media outlets who emphasize that civic trust erodes when misinformation is shared without accountability, regardless of political affiliation. Public officials from both parties — and even non-partisan observers — have noted that promoting unverified claims can further fragment an already polarized political climate.
The Larger Context of Political Violence and Online Narratives
Minnesota’s tragic shootings in mid-2025 were part of a larger pattern of politically motivated violence that has sparked introspection nationwide. From attacks on lawmakers to threats against activists and other public figures, Americans continue to grapple with how online misinformation intersects with real-world harm.
The Minnesota shootings, including the deaths of the Hortmans and the injuries to other legislators, triggered one of the largest manhunts in state history and drew attention to the risks public servants face.
Yet as authorities piece together evidence and pursue justice, the spread of conspiracy content on social media platforms continues to cloud public perception — and raises important questions about how misinformation can persist even after facts are established by courts and law enforcement records.
What Comes Next
At the time of this reporting, the video remains on Truth Social, and the Hortman family’s request for removal and an apology has not been honored. National debates continue over the balance between free speech, political discourse, and the potential harms caused by spreading unverified or deceptive content — especially when it invokes personal tragedy and violence. kttc
Political analysts and social media experts suggest that such incidents underscore the need for greater media literacy among the public and more responsible sharing practices among leaders who have large and influential platforms.
Conclusion
The emotional and heartfelt appeal from the children of Melissa and Mark Hortman is a stark reminder of the real human consequences behind political rhetoric and social media narratives. Their plea to Donald Trump to remove a misleading video is not just a call to correct the record — it is an urgent call to preserve truth and dignity in public discourse and to prevent further harm in an already divided political landscape.
As this story continues to unfold, it highlights the broader challenge facing democratic societies today: ensuring that public communication — especially from influential figures — is rooted in fact, empathy, and respect for those affected by tragedy.
Subscribe to trusted news sites like USnewsSphere.com for continuous updates.
