US presidential election: Why are Republicans calling Kamala Harris' VP pick 'Tampon Tim'?

The recent decision by United States Vice President Kamala Harris to select Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate has sparked a wave of controversy, primarily driven by Republican critics who have taken to calling Walz “Tampon Tim.”

This nickname, coined by former Trump adviser Stephen Miller, emerged shortly after the announcement. Miller tweeted, “She actually chose Tampon Tim," while Chaya Raichik, the individual behind the far-right social media account Libs of TikTok, escalated the rhetoric by photoshopping Walz’s face onto a Tampax box.

How did “Tampon Tim” come about?

The moniker stems from a law that Walz signed in 2024, requiring all public schools in Minnesota to provide free menstrual products – pads and tampons – to students from 4th through 12th grade.

The law, which took effect on January 1, 2024, mandates that the state allocate approximately $2 per student to ensure these products are stocked throughout the school year.

The legislation was the result of years of advocacy by students and their allies, making Minnesota one of 28 states, along with Washington DC, to pass laws aimed at providing access to menstrual products in schools.

Why are politicians divided on the policy?

The law, while popular among many, has become a lightning rod for conservative criticism, particularly due to its inclusive language, which specifies that menstrual products should be available “to all menstruating students in restrooms regularly used by students.”

This phrasing reflects the understanding that not all individuals who menstruate identify as female, and not all women menstruate. Republican lawmakers in Minnesota initially attempted to amend the bill to restrict the availability of these products to female and gender-neutral restrooms, but this effort was ultimately unsuccessful.

Even the author of the proposed amendment voted in favour of the final version, citing that his family members considered it an important issue, reported NPR.

Despite the backlash, LGBTQ+ rights groups have praised Walz for his inclusive approach. Walz, who has been a long-time advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, issued an executive order in 2023 making Minnesota one of the first states to protect access to gender-affirming healthcare, countering efforts in other states to ban such care.

His track record, including his time as a teacher when he sponsored his school’s first gay-straight alliance group, has solidified his reputation as a progressive leader.

How have Trump supporters monopolised on the issue?

Conservative commentators have seized upon this aspect of the legislation to attack Walz. MAGA War Room, an account aligned with former President Donald Trump, criticised the bill, tweeting, “Tim Walz is a weird radical liberal. What could be weirder than signing a bill requiring schools to stock tampons in boys’ bathrooms?”

Similarly, Trump campaign spokesperson Karoline Leavitt took aim at the policy, arguing on Fox News that it exemplified the kind of radical policies Walz supports, equating it with gender-transition surgeries for minors.

How are Democrats tackling this move?

Interestingly, many Democrats and progressive voices have embraced the “Tampon Tim” nickname, viewing it as a badge of honour rather than an insult.

Democratic Minnesota State Representative Sandra Feist, the chief sponsor of the menstrual equity bill, defended the policy as a “wise investment” during legislative discussions, noting that “one out of every 10 menstruating youth miss school” due to a lack of access to menstrual products.

Feist later tweeted, “This law exemplifies what we can accomplish when we listen to students to address their needs. Excited to see MN representation at the top of the ticket! #TamponTim.”

Former US presidential candidate Hillary Clinton also chimed in, turning the attempted smear into a point of pride. After Raichik posted the photoshopped image of Walz on a Tampax box, Clinton responded, “How nice of the Trump camp to help publicise Gov. Tim Walz’s compassionate and common-sense policy of providing free menstrual products to students in Minnesota public schools! Let’s do this everywhere.”

The nickname has even been embraced by figures like former Georgia State Representative Bee Nguyen, who praised Walz’s understanding of the issue as a former teacher, saying, “This makes me an even bigger fan of Tampon Tim.”

For many on the left, the attempt to demonise Walz has backfired, turning what was intended as a derogatory label into a rallying cry for menstrual equity and broader progressive values.

Is there menstrual equity in America?

The debate surrounding the “Tampon Tim” nickname is set against a backdrop of broader discussions on menstrual equity, an issue that has gained significant traction in recent years.

According to a 2023 study commissioned by Thinx and PERIOD, nearly 1 in 4 students in the United States have struggled to afford menstrual products, highlighting the ongoing problem of period poverty. Advocates argue that providing free access to these products is not just a matter of convenience but one of public health, dignity, and educational equity.

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The law that Walz signed aligns with a growing trend across the country, where 30 states have already eliminated state sales tax on menstrual products, also known as the “tampon tax.”

Even Republican-led states like Texas have joined the movement, with Governor Greg Abbott signing a law to eliminate the tax in 2023.

Hasn’t Trump also signed a similar law?

On the federal level, then US President Donald Trump signed the First Step Act in 2018, which, among other reforms, included a provision requiring federal prisons to provide menstrual products to inmates.

The CARES Act of 2020 further expanded access by allowing employees to use their Flexible Spending Account (FSA) allowances to purchase menstrual products with pre-tax dollars.

The controversy surrounding Walz’s nickname is reminiscent of the backlash faced by then-presidential candidate Donald Trump in 2015 when he made a crude remark about Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly, implying that her tough questioning during a debate was allegedly due to menstruation.

At the time, the comment sparked widespread outrage, highlighting how discussions about menstruation, even in a derogatory context, can touch a nerve in the public consciousness.

Has Walz responded?

In his response to the “Tampon Tim” moniker, Walz has largely remained silent on the specific insult, choosing instead to focus on his broader message of inclusivity and progressivism.

However, his recent tweet directed at Trump and Senator JD Vance – “Donald Trump and JD Vance are creepy and, yes, weird” – is aimed to echo the sentiment of many who see the focus on menstruation as a bizarre and out-of-touch line of attack.

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With inputs from agencies