'Excellent guy': Leaked audio captures Trump heaping praise on Tim Walz

Former President Donald Trump has attacked Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz's handling of the George Floyd protests, but four years ago, he offered praise, newly revealed audio shows.

Trump lauded Walz on a June 1, 2020, call with multiple governors in the wake of Floyd's violent death on May 25 and the subsequent riots that erupted, ABC News reported Wednesday.

"I know Gov. Walz is on the phone, and we spoke, and I fully agree with the way he handled it the last couple of days," Trump reportedly said. He also called Walz an "excellent guy."

The audio recording reportedly includes Trump praising Walz directly and calling him by his first name.

"I was very happy with the last couple of days, Tim," Trump continued. "You called up big numbers and the big numbers knocked them out so fast it was like bowling pins."

This messaging stands in stark contrast to the Trump campaign's recent messaging targeting the running mate of his Democratic opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris.

"He allowed rioters to burn down the streets of Minneapolis," Sen. J.D. Vance reportedly said.

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Trump campaign spokesperson Karoline Leavitt told ABC News Trump only praised Walz after he took the then-president's advice to call in the National Guard.

"Governor Walz allowed Minneapolis to burn for days, despite President Trump's offer to deploy soldiers and cries for help from the liberal Mayor of Minneapolis," Leavitt said in a reported statement.

Rioters set fire to 1,500 buildings, caused about $500 million in damage and were linked to at least three deaths, ABC News reports.

Walz, a 24-year veteran of the National Guard, summoned guardsmen to Minneapolis 18 hours after Mayor Jacob Frey made his initial request.

The Minnesota governor has both explained the delay and accepted responsibility for the consequences, ABC News reports.

"They're band teachers and small business owners, they're folks working in a garage in Fergus Falls who get a call that says you've got 12 hours to report to your armory," Walz said.

Days later, he added, "If the issue was that the state should have moved faster, that is on me."