The children of Minnesota lawmaker Melissa Hortman, who were tragically shot and killed at her home, have publicly pleaded with former President Donald Trump to remove a conspiracy theory post that falsely links their mother’s death to the state’s governor, Tim Walz. This plea comes as the family grapples with profound grief and seeks to correct dangerous misinformation circulating online. The primary keyword is “Melissa Hortman murder” and the content will focus on the family’s request and the nature of the conspiracy theory.
The Hortman family is experiencing immense pain following the June 14, 2025 murders of Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, along with their beloved golden retriever. The attack was carried out by an individual impersonating a police officer, adding another layer of trauma to an already horrific event. This incident has been further complicated by the re-sharing of a misleading post on Truth Social by Donald Trump.
What is the conspiracy theory linking Melissa Hortman’s death to Governor Tim Walz? The conspiracy theory, re-shared by Donald Trump, suggests that Melissa Hortman was targeted for allegedly exposing a multi-billion dollar money laundering fraud scheme involving Somali immigrants and child care programs. It further claims Governor Tim Walz ordered the murder, with Vance Boelter, a former employee of Walz, identified as the alleged perpetrator. This false narrative has caused significant distress to the Hortman family.
Colin Hortman, the son of the murdered couple, made an emotional appeal directly to President Trump. He implored him to remove the video he shared and to issue an apology to the family for disseminating misinformation that dishonors his mother’s memory. The post in question contains a video that alleges the fraud case involves “child care” and “health care rackets” operated by Somali immigrants who allegedly entered the United States illegally.
The original social media user behind the post provided a letter, purportedly written by Vance Boelter and sent to FBI Director Kash Patel, as evidence. In this document, Boelter makes several unsubstantiated claims, including that Governor Walz instructed him to kill Amy Klobuchar and other unnamed individuals. Boelter also alleged that Walz threatened his family if he did not comply.
According to the attorney’s office, Boelter’s alleged actions began with an attempted murder targeting John Hoffman, a Minnesota Senate member, his wife Yvette, and their daughter, Hope. Fortunately, all three individuals survived the attack. Boelter then allegedly proceeded to the Hortman residence, where he committed the murders.
Authorities apprehended Boelter two days later, following what was described as the largest manhunt in Minnesota state history. He is currently facing six federal charges, including stalking, murder, and attempted shooting. If convicted, he faces a potential sentence of life in prison or even the death penalty.
Governor Tim Walz, who previously served as the running mate for former Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election, has strongly denied any involvement in ordering the crime. He has also condemned Donald Trump for amplifying the conspiracy theory on social media, calling it “dangerous, depraved behavior” that could lead to further violence.
The Hortman family has consistently reiterated their plea for Trump to remove the post. Sophie Hortman, Colin’s sister, emphasized that the video promotes a “false narrative” and adds another burden to their grieving process. She expressed hope that President Trump would consider the family’s pain and honor their loss by taking down the post.
In recent weeks, Donald Trump has frequently utilized conspiracy theories related to immigration, particularly focusing on Somali migrants in Minnesota. His administration released an AI-generated trailer for an animated film titled Minnesota Millionaires, which depicts Somali men allegedly traveling to the state to defraud the daycare program. This has contributed to a climate of increased scrutiny and allegations of fraud against some daycare centers serving the children of Somali immigrants.
Amidst the intense pressure from Trump and his allies regarding allegations of daycare fraud in Minnesota, Governor Walz announced his decision to withdraw from the 2026 Minnesota Gubernatorial Race. In a public statement, Walz cited the “extraordinarily difficult year for our state” and his inability to dedicate himself fully to a political campaign. He specifically highlighted the investigations into the childcare program as a significant source of pressure since his rise to prominence as Kamala Harris’s running mate in the 2024 election.
Governor Walz stated that Donald Trump and his associates aim to create a “colder, meaner place” in Minnesota, intending to divide the state’s residents and diminish its appeal as a place to raise a family. This ongoing political rhetoric and the spread of misinformation continue to impact the state and the families affected by these tragic events.
This tragic event highlights the profound impact of misinformation and the responsibility that public figures have in sharing information responsibly, especially when it concerns sensitive and deeply personal tragedies.
