Many have bashed the conservative radio host for insensitive remarks against the neurodivergent minor son of Tim Walz.
Jay Weber, the conservative radio host for 1130 WISN, has faced significant backlash and calls for termination from the outlet after he made a derogatory tweet against the neurodivergent son of Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz, Gus Walz.
In the since-deleted tweet, Weber targeted the 17-year-old for his emotional reaction to his father’s speech at the DNC on August 21, calling him a “blubbering b*tch boy.”
As of August 28, 2024, Jay Weber has not been fired from 1130 WISN, as per official sources, but was pulled off the air immediately following the backlash.
Since the incident, Jay hasn’t hosted the show.
Milwaukee County Supervisor Shawn Rolland shared a screenshot of the tweet.
In case he deletes his post, this is what it said. pic.twitter.com/Jdot8OVfvg
— Shawn Rolland (@shawnrolland) August 22, 2024
Gus Walz has ADHD, a non-verbal learning disorder, and an anxiety disorder.
During the speech, as his father shared his family’s fertility journey, amid claps and cheers from the audience, Gus stood up tearful and full of emotions and yelled, “That’s my dad!“
OMG I missed Walz's son Gus crying and saying "that's my dad!" when his dad shouted him out. What a moment. pic.twitter.com/bFV1kFkeHv
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) August 22, 2024
Weber, who is a former teacher, tweeted an apology, claiming that he was not aware of Gus’s “disability” and added that he was challenging the Minnesota governor’s “substance and character.”
However, he soon deleted that apology and tweeted another without mentioning Gus or his father.
This is a fuller apology for something stupid and hurtful I said yesterday. I said it without thinking or having the facts. No excuses.
— Jay Weber (@JayWeber3) August 23, 2024
Having been a teacher, I’ve had a standard of never involving children, I broke that and I’m disappointed with myself. I apologize to….
Fellow right-wing commentator Ann Coulter had also attacked Gus for the same reason and called him “weird” in a now-deleted post.
Following the radio team’s decision to pull Weber off the air, many expressed their approval, but others claimed it was not enough and demanded immediate termination from the radio show.
He needs to be fired, not just pulled off the air! #FireJayWeber
— Jen RN (@jcg0263) August 23, 2024
Good and I hope he never gets his job back, his wording was cruel, hateful, and so disgusting, it physically hurt to read those words and to think he was talking about a young person who did absolutely nothing wrong but show emotional love for his father.
— Sunset Knits (@SunsetKnits) August 23, 2024
Gus Walz’s reaction last night doesn’t need justification. It doesn’t matter if he’s neurodivergent.
— Skyler Johnson (@SkylerforNY) August 22, 2024
Men can cry. Men can show emotion.
His reaction to his father’s speech was absolutely beautiful. 💙 pic.twitter.com/fkR6Cj74oP
The controversy highlights the growing tensions and polarization between the left and the right.
As the elections approach, controversies like these are bound to happen, but many netizens believe that hurtful comments about the opponents’ families are always unacceptable, no matter the context.
The outrage also opens up discussions about the representation and treatment of neurodivergent individuals in the public eye.
