What Happened: Conservative commentator Ann Coulter sparked outrage on social media after posting a tweet mocking Gus Walz, the 17-year-old son of Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz, who has a non-verbal learning disorder. Coulter’s post, which referenced Gus’s emotional reaction during his father’s speech at the Democratic National Convention, was quickly deleted, but not before it ignited widespread criticism.

Key Details:

• The Tweet: Coulter posted a photo of Gus crying during his father’s speech, captioned with “Talk about weird…,” which many found insensitive given Gus’s neurodivergent condition.
• The Backlash: Social media users, including prominent figures, condemned Coulter’s remarks. Former Obama staffer Tommy Vietor and Moms Demand Action founder Shannon Watts were among those who defended Gus and criticized Coulter’s insensitivity.
• Coulter’s Response: Although Coulter deleted the tweet, the damage was done, and the incident continued to trend online under hashtags like “#Hes17” and “#GusWalz.”
• Public Reaction: The incident has drawn attention to the challenges faced by neurodiverse individuals and the importance of empathy and understanding, especially in public discourse.

Why It Matters: This controversy highlights the ongoing struggle for respect and recognition of neurodiverse individuals, particularly in highly publicized and emotionally charged environments like political conventions.