In his first post-election interview, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz shared his unexpected reaction to the Democratic ticket's loss to Donald Trump. Speaking with KSTP-TV, Walz admitted to being taken aback by the results, contrasting the perceived momentum from campaign rallies and public interactions with the ultimate outcome. He expressed surprise and a belief that their positive message resonated with the nation.

While disappointed by the loss, Walz described serving as Kamala Harris' running mate as a privilege and a valuable opportunity to experience the country. When questioned about his impact on the campaign, he deferred to history's judgment, emphasizing that he gave his best effort. He acknowledged that in hindsight, adjustments could have been made, given the outcome.

Walz expressed anticipation for his return to Minnesota governance and the upcoming legislative session. The Harris-Walz ticket marked the first Democratic popular vote loss since 2004, with Trump and running mate JD Vance securing key battleground states and making inroads in traditionally Democratic areas. A senior Harris campaign advisor revealed that internal polling never projected a victory against Trump, contradicting some public polls that showed the Democratic ticket leading in the weeks before the election.

David Plouffe, a top Harris campaign aide, expressed surprise at the discrepancy between their internal data and public polling, noting that the campaign never observed the leads suggested by some public surveys. He attributed the loss in part to not getting the necessary breaks on Election Day.