Conservative US commentator Matt Walsh blasts Australia for commemorating 'Sorry Day' - as Aussies tell him: 'You're a flog'

By MATT JONES, SENIOR NEWS REPORTER, AUSTRALIA Published: 09:46, 30 May 2026 | Updated: 09:46, 30 May 2026 Conservative American political commentator Matt Walsh has been slammed by Aussies for criticising the country's 'Sorry Day'. National Sorry Day is an annual event held in Australia on May 26, since 1998, to commemorate the Stolen Generations. It honours the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children who were forcibly removed from their families by government policies. Walsh responded to a post on X by an Aussie named Lauren, who wrote on Friday that she gave her son the day off when his school was celebrating National Sorry Day 'because we have nothing to be sorry for and I am sick to death of my white sons being guilt tripped'. Walsh was stunned by the post and wrote: 'This popped up in my feed for some reason. I had to look it up and yes, it turns out that Australia literally has a 'Sorry Day' where all the white Australians apologise to the 'indigenous' people. How did Australia become such a weak, pathetic country? When did this happen?' Walsh went on to say: 'I used to think Australians were a bunch of tough old bastards living down there with crocodiles and spiders the size of dinner plates. Turns out they're just warm weather Canadians.' American followers of the right-wing commentator were stunned to learn of the day and a number of Aussies were also critical online. One American posted: 'Imagine what having a 'Sorry Day' must do to the psyche of children, and God help us for how it materialises in their adult lives.' Conservative American commentator Matt Walsh has been slammed for criticising Australia's national 'Sorry Day'  Mr Walsh's response to a post on X about Sorry Day While there was criticism of the day by Americans and some Australians, many Aussies also hit back at Walsh and other conservatives. One Aussie wrote back to Walsh saying: 'You're a flog, mate. The Labor government apologised for past policy that supported institutional child stealing with generational impact still unrolling.' 'Dear Matt, it's a beautiful gesture and the white kids learn they are in debt to the Indigenous. How anyone can think this is wrong is beyond me,' another Aussie fired back. 'I have agreed with many things you have posted…but this, no. I am a proud conservative, Christian, Australian and will say 'sorry' every year, if needed. My ancestors did horrible things. I am not responsible, but I can say 'sorry' and show respect!' a third wrote to Walsh. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese shared a statement for National Sorry Day on Tuesday. He described the survivors of the Stolen Generations as courageous. 'We reflect on the pain and suffering borne by the members of the Stolen Generations. We think of everything it took for you to tell the truth and relive your hurt. And we remain awed by the courage with which you entered Parliament House to hear Prime Minister Kevin Rudd deliver the long-awaited Apology,' Albanese wrote. 'As we more fully acknowledge our history, we begin to unburden ourselves of its unspoken weight. We learn from our wrongs and we do not rest in our search for ways of healing.' National Sorry Day is held on May 26, to commemorate the Stolen Generations Then Prime Minister Kevin Rudd delivers the apology to the Stolen Generations at Parliament House Canberra, in 2008, as future leaders Julia Gillard and Anthony Albanese look on On February 13, 2008, former Prime Minister Rudd issued a formal national apology to the Stolen Generations in the Australian Parliament. 'I am sorry. And I offer you this apology without qualification,' Rudd said at the time. Assimilation policies between 1910 and 1970, saw as many as one in ten to one in three Indigenous children removed from their homes.   The removals were sanctioned by law and aimed to 'breed out' or erase Indigenous culture and integrate children into white society.  No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.