Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) on Sunday defended his use of the word “socialism” over the summer, saying he believes “capitalism works” but that there are things society must do collectively.
In an interview on “Fox News Sunday,” host Shannon Bream asked Walz about his use of the word “socialism” during a “White Dudes for Harris” livestream in July.
“One person’s socialism is another person’s neighborliness,” Walz said in the July livestream.
Bream began by citing the Merriam-Webster dictionary definition of socialism, which defines it as “a system of society or group living in which there is no private property,” adding that “means of production are owned and controlled by the state.”
“Did you mean to advocate for that here in the U.S.?” Bream asked Walz.
Walz responded with an enthusiastic no, adding that he is a capitalist.
“Republicans oftentimes talk about socialism, and what I would make the case of is we build our roads collectively together,” he said. “I don’t think anybody’s arguing that you should have to build your own road from your house to your business place or whatever. So I said this definition that the right uses about these things that we collectively do together.”
He added, “I believe in moral capitalism. I believe capitalism works and lifts everyone up, but I also believe you have to make sure there’s things we collectively do together.”
That includes public education and public health, Walz said.
When pushed by Bream as to whether the use of the word was a “knucklehead thing,” Walz continued to defend using the term, saying it is “what the right uses.”
“Look, the point being is, is Donald Trump says that this is a socialist or Marxist government,” he added. “Kamala Harris is actually doing just the opposite [of] that — creating a free economy that works and people can grow into the middle class.”