Tim Walz’s attempt to sound tough is backfiring — badly. After claiming he could physically take down most Trump supporters, the Minnesota governor is now catching heat from President Donald Trump and being dared into the ring by a WWE legend.

The comment came during a podcast hosted by California Gov. Gavin Newsom, where Walz said, “I think I can kick most of their a**,” referring to Trump voters. He also said Republicans were afraid of him, prompting Newsom to laugh out loud.

Stolen Valor Walz is now challenging Trump supporters to a fight…

Saying: “I think I can kick most of their ass!" pic.twitter.com/kumUIAZz6Q

— Wesley Hunt (@WesleyHuntTX) March 18, 2025

That tough talk didn’t sit well with Trump, who responded during a press availability in the Oval Office. “He’d be in trouble,” Trump said. “He’s a loser. He hurt Kamala’s campaign. Probably one of the worst running mates in modern politics.”

🚨Just in: Trump calls out Walz for saying he would kick Trump’s supporters butts:

“He's a loser. He lost an election. He played a part. Usually the VP doesn't play a part I think Tim played a part. He was so bad. I'd put him at the bottom of the group.”pic.twitter.com/HqV9aHsG9F

— The Calvin Coolidge Project (@TheCalvinCooli1) March 21, 2025

Walz, a former high school football coach, has been under fire for more than just his podcast remarks. His transgender policies have drawn strong criticism from conservatives — especially after Minnesota defied Trump’s executive order banning transgender women from women’s sports. The state’s high school league announced last month it would stick with state law and allow students to compete based on gender identity.

This morning I ran into @GlennJacobsTN, aka Kane, and asked him about Tim Walz saying he’d kick any MAGA voter’s ass.

Here’s what he has to say: pic.twitter.com/DsT8b7b8SN

— Brent Scher (@BrentScher) March 20, 2025

That defiance has been slammed by former NFL safety Jack Brewer, who called Walz a “disgrace to the football world.” Brewer has been lobbying for Minnesota to pass a law keeping biological males out of female sports competitions.

Tim Walz said republican Trump supporters are afraid of him. Republican mayor Glenn Jacobs, you maybe know him as Kane from the WWE, has challenged Tim Walz to a wrestling match.

I actually hope there’s some 200 year old clause none of us know about that can be invoked allowing… https://t.co/DDOwA8YodN pic.twitter.com/wraB0103sS

— S&N News, Politics and Sports (@Samantha_SN1) March 21, 2025

As Walz’s comments spread online, Glenn Jacobs — better known to wrestling fans as Kane — challenged the governor to a charity wrestling match. Jacobs, now the mayor of Knox County, Tennessee, pledged $10,000 and suggested splitting the proceeds between their preferred causes.

🚨 TIM WALZ ON TRUMP SUPPORTERS: “I think I can kick most of their ass.”

Bro, I think my GRANDMA could take you out with one swing.

Anybody getting their ass kicked by Tampon Tim? 🤣 pic.twitter.com/tCWCj3woPy

— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) March 18, 2025

“Let’s do this. #TennesseeWalz #LetsDance,” Jacobs wrote on X, after posting a digitally altered image of Walz in a rainbow-colored wrestling outfit.

Though Walz has publicly floated the idea of running for president in 2028, polling doesn’t look promising. A recent Morning Consult survey showed just 5% of Democrats and Democrat-leaning voters supporting him in a potential primary.