What's Up With Republicans Making Jokes And Memes About '#TamponTim'? The Attacks On Tim Walz And The Nickname 'Tampon Tim' Explained

Republicans have launched a new attack on the Harris-Walz presidential campaign, calling attention to a bill Tim Walz signed into effect in 2023 that would provide free menstrual products for all school-going children from 4th grade and up.

The nickname "Tampon Tim" is being kicked around conservative social media circles as a criticism of Walz's bill, with many conservative internet users taking offense to the likelihood that the bill would put period products like pads and tampons in both girls and boys restrooms in schools.

But the effectiveness of this attack, one that relies on a common tactic of Donald Trump and his supporters to create a nickname and an insult that presents "tampons" as an insult in and of itself, is being called into question by political pundits.

Here's a recap of how the hashtag "#TamponTim" and nickname got its legs, and how it appears to be affecting Walz's popularity or approval.

What Is Tim Walz's "Tampon" Law, and Why Are Republicans Attacking Him For It?

In 2023, Tim Walz signed into effect a law that would provide free menstrual products for all school-going kids in Minnesota from the 4th grade and up. Walz isn't alone in supporting period legislature that expands menstrual product access for those who need it. Such legislation has seen bipartisan support in states like California and Texas over the past few years, with the Minnesota law going into effect with some Republican support in the state.

After Walz was announced as presidential candidate and VP Kamala Harris's running mate in early August 2024, some Republicans took to attacking him for the law. On August 6th, 2024, Karoline Leavitt, a spokeswoman for the Trump campaign, spoke about Tim Walz on Fox News, calling him "a threat to women’s health." Leavitt continued:

As a woman, I think there is no greater threat to our health than leaders who support gender-transition surgeries for young minors, [and] who support putting tampons in men’s bathrooms in public schools. Those are radical policies that Tim Walz supports. He actually signed a bill to do that.

Where Did The Nickname "Tampon Tim" Come From?

Soon after career Republicans took to attacking Tim Walz for the law he signed into effect, many online conservative commentators began posting memes and edited images mocking Walz and calling him "Tampon Tim."

Chaya Raichik, the person behind the infamous Libs Of TikTok account, posted an image of Walz edited onto a box of tampons, while the X account of the satirical news site The Babylon Bee (@TheBabylonBee) posted about Tim Walz signing a bill to "put tampons in boys' school bathrooms."

Malaysian political commentator and X user Ian Miles Cheong posted a "Tampon Tim" meme as well, as did infamous X user @Catturd2.

How Did Internet Users React To The Hashtag #TamponTim?

Many media outlets reported on how "Tampon Tim" appeared to be a short-lived and failing attempt to criticize Harris's VP pick. In early August 2024, the New York Times covered the story with the headline, "Trump Campaign Criticizes Walz for State Law Providing Tampons in Schools," while Rolling Stone wrote, "Republicans Are Struggling to Paint Tim Walz as a Villain."

Meanwhile, several internet users questioned the impact of the catchphrase and nickname "Tampon Tim," joking about how it could be seen as a metaphor for blocking a "red wave," and how tampon legislation is largely a popular and bipartisan issue.

For the full history of Tampon Time, be sure to check out Know Your Meme's encyclopedia entry for more information.