WASHINGTON: A video featuring a man in sequined western attire dancing in front of the camera has been digitally edited to superimpose the face of Minnesota Governor and U.S. Democratic vice-presidential candidate Tim Walz.
A Facebook post dated September 5 shares the video with the caption: “Love that Tim Walz’s family is exposing him.” A screenshot from the video, shared on October 10, includes the comment: “Sometimes when I’m having a bad day, I watch this video of Tim Walz dancing to Beyoncé, and my mood instantly improves.”
The clip shows someone with glasses, resembling Walz, wearing a black cropped top, black pants, and a red cowboy hat, dancing to Beyoncé’s “TEXAS HOLD ‘EM.” However, the original video, featuring a different dancer, was posted on Instagram on February 19, before Vice President Kamala Harris announced her presidential campaign and Walz as her running mate. The dancer, Matthew Krumpe, who posted the unedited version on his Instagram account @krumpmasterkrump, added the message: “This ain’t Texas, and if anyone walks into my shot again, I’m quitting making content and jumping off this boat.”
Krumpe has not yet responded to requests for comment. Reuters previously reported on another video featuring a person known as El Divo 956, which was also altered to superimpose Walz’s face onto a different body.
VERDICT: Altered. The video of dancer Matthew Krumpe has been manipulated to add Tim Walz’s face.