Family of Slain Minnesota Lawmaker Speaks Out Against Trump’s Conspiracy Theories
Sophie and Colin Hortman, the children of former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark, have publicly denounced President Donald Trump’s recent posts on Truth Social. The posts in question spread baseless conspiracy theories surrounding their parents’ tragic assassinations on June 14, 2025. In a statement, Colin Hortman expressed his grief and frustration, stating, “My father and mother, Mark and Melissa Hortman, and their dog Gilbert, were killed by a man who believed conspiracy theories and fake news. Words matter. Sharing fake news is dangerous.”
Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, are photographed Friday, June 13, 2025, at the annual Humphrey-Mondale Dinner in Minneapolis. (Courtesy of the Minnesota House DFL Caucus)
The Conspiracy Theories and Their Harm
The video shared by President Trump falsely implies that Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Melissa Hortman’s vote to repeal MinnesotaCare for undocumented adults had something to do with her assassination. However, there is no public evidence to suggest that the assassination was motivated by this vote. In fact, Hortman did not vote for the repeal because she supported it; she and the House DFL were against the repeal. As the caucus leader at the negotiation table, she agreed to be a “yes” vote as part of a budget deal with Republicans to keep the government open.
After Hortman voted for the repeal on June 9, she became emotional and distressed, telling reporters that she had never had to vote for something as painful as that. She explained that it was a condition Republicans required to fund the state government, and she made the decision to prevent a government shutdown because she believed it would harm Minnesotans.
Former Speaker of the House Rep. Melissa Hortman, DFL-Brooklyn Park, talks with a colleague on the floor of the House chambers during a special session at the Minnesota Capitol in St. Paul on Monday, June 9, 2025. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)
A Call to Action
Colin and Sophie Hortman have both asked President Trump to remove the post, citing the pain and sadness it has caused their family. Sophie asked Trump to “please consider the pain and sadness we have faced, and to honor the spirit of the holidays we have just spent without our parents by taking down the post on Truth Social.” Colin requested that Trump “remove the video that he shared and apologize to me and my family for posting this misinformation and for using my mother’s own words to dishonor her memory.”
Several Minnesota politicians, including Rep. Nolan West, R-Blaine, and Speaker of the House Lisa Demuth, R-Cold Spring, have also condemned the post, stating that it is irresponsible and promotes a false narrative.
Vance Boelter in a June 16, 2025, booking photo. (Courtesy of the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office)
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