Minnesota Governor Tim Walz faces accusations of 'stolen valor' amid claims he falsely represented his military service, particularly regarding his retirement from the National Guard before his unit's deployment to Iraq. Right-wing media, including GOP vice presidential nominee JD Vance, have asserted that Walz abandoned his unit to run for Congress, a claim debunked by multiple sources, including CNN and USA Today, which clarified that Walz retired two months before deployment orders were issued. PolitiFact rated Vance's claim as 'mostly false,' noting Walz submitted retirement paperwork months before his battalion received deployment notification. Vance, however, has criticized Walz for his actions, asserting that Walz's claims of combat experience are fabricated. The controversy intensified when CNN anchor Brianna Keilar questioned Vance's military credentials, leading to a heated exchange where Vance defended his service while attacking Walz's narrative. The situation has drawn comparisons to past political smear campaigns, with implications for both candidates in the upcoming election.