President Donald Trump gave his complete and total endorsement
of MyPillow founder Mike Lindell for Minnesota governor on Wednesday, July 15. The move injects a high-profile ally into a crowded Republican primary scheduled for August 11, where Lindell faces opponents including state House Speaker Lisa Demuth and GOP-endorsed businessman Kendall Qualls.
Trump used Truth Social to frame Lindell as one of America’s greatest and most hard working Patriots
, claiming the entrepreneur would rescue Minnesota from oblivion and embarrassment
. The endorsement comes just one day before the president’s planned national address on election security, highlighting a shared fixation on the 2020 election results.
Lindell, known nationally as the MyPillow Guy
, told WCCO the news was huge
and exciting
, admitting he did not know the endorsement was coming. While he thanked the president, Lindell told the outlet that he will not align with Trump on every issue, stating, I’m gonna do what Mike Lindell’s gonna do
.
Internal GOP Friction and the August 11 Primary
The endorsement has not unified the Republican field. Minnesota GOP Chairman Alex Plechash expressed surprise at the choice, arguing that the state cannot afford a ticket that provides Democrats an easy target
. Plechash pointed to Lindell’s history of leaving the state for Texas and cited serious financial baggage
, including public records of tens of thousands of dollars in delinquent property taxes.
Other candidates have attempted to balance their loyalty to Trump with their own ambitions. Kendall Qualls, who secured the state party’s endorsement in May, stated that the race won’t be won by national endorsements
but will be decided by local conservatives. House Speaker Lisa Demuth has focused her campaign on defeating the radical Democrats up and down the ballot in November
, though she has faced attacks from Lindell regarding federal spending fraud.
Current polling suggests a fragmented field. A CBS News Survey USA/KSTP poll from earlier this month placed Lindell in the lead with 27% support among GOP primary voters, followed by Demuth at 22% and Qualls at 17%.
The Democratic Response and Amy Klobuchar’s Lead
Democrats view the endorsement as a strategic gift. Minnesota DFL Party Chair Richard Carlbom called Lindell an election-denying Trump clone
and suggested that MAGA voters expect candidates to be a rubber stamp
for the president.
General election polling currently favors the senator. A June poll by the Star Tribune, KARE 11, and the Hubbard School found Klobuchar leading Lindell 53% to 36% in a hypothetical matchup.
Childcare Fraud and the Walz Legacy
The race to succeed Gov. Tim Walz is heavily shaped by accusations of government mismanagement. Trump has repeatedly attacked Walz, the Democrats’ 2024 vice presidential nominee, as incompetent. Specifically, the president has alleged rampant fraud in federal spending on childcare, using rhetoric that targets Minnesota’s Somali immigrant population.
The stakes of these allegations are high. According to The Hill, prosecutors allege as much as $9 billion was stolen by groups claiming to provide meal assistance and other services for children. While Walz disputes the characterizations, investigations into the administration of these programs are ongoing.
Lindell’s Legal and Residency Hurdles
Beyond the primary battle, Lindell faces significant legal and eligibility questions. A federal judge recently ruled that Lindell defamed Smartmatic with false statements regarding voting machines.
Residency remains a point of contention. Although born in Minnesota, Lindell spent several years registered to vote in Texas and described himself as a Texas citizen
in a court filing last year. He has since told reporters he re-established residency to meet the state requirement that gubernatorial candidates live in Minnesota for at least one year before the general election.
Election Integrity and Voting Machines
If elected, Lindell intends to fundamentally alter how Minnesota votes. He told WCCO that he hopes to eliminate voting machines in favor of hand counts and paper ballots.
“Those voting machines need to go. They need to be melted down … and turned into prison bars.”
Mike Lindell, MyPillow CEO
This platform aligns with the reasoning Trump used in his endorsement, praising Lindell for his sacrifices in fighting for Election Integrity
. The general election will take place on November 3, following the August 11 primary.
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