Full Breakdown
Wisconsin Brewery Owner’s “Free Beer Day” Post Sparks Political Outcry After Trump Assassination Attempt
4/29/2026, 1:29:58 AM
The “Free Beer Day” Post After the White House Correspondents’ Dinner Incident
On the night of April 25 2026, a gunman opened fire near the security checkpoint at the Washington Hilton during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, prompting the Secret Service to evacuate President Donald Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance and cabinet members. Hours later, Minocqua Brewing Company posted on its Facebook page: “Well, we almost got #freebeerday. Either a brother or sister in the Resistance needs to work on their marksmanship or he faked another assassination to get a positive news cycle. We’ll never know. Regardless, we stand at the ready to pour free beer the day it happens.” The message revived a longstanding promotion promising complimentary beer on the day Trump dies.
Background: The Promotion and Prior Messaging
The “Free Beer Day” promise first appeared in a January 2026 Facebook post that offered “free beer all day long, the day he dies,” without naming Trump. The brewery also sells merchandise—shirts reading “I Wish It Was Free Beer Day at Minocqua Brewing Company,” voodoo dolls of Trump, and other politically themed items. In that earlier post, owner Kirk Bangstad invited supporters to “show us this post when it happens in a few months and we’ll make good on that promise.” Bangstad later described the recent comment as “gallows humor” and “hyperbole” intended to comfort those “who want the suffering of America to end.”
Key Figures
- Kirk Bangstad – Owner of Minocqua Brewing Company, former Democratic candidate for Wisconsin’s 34th Assembly District, founder of the Minocqua Brewing Company Super PAC.
- Caroline Clancy – spokeswoman for the FBI’s Milwaukee office.
- Phil Shulman – spokesperson for the Wisconsin Democratic Party.
- Francesca Hong, Mandela Barnes, Rebecca Cooke, Missy Hughes – Democratic office-holders who issued condemnations.
- Delanie Bomar – Republican National Committee spokeswoman.
- Tom Tiffany – Republican candidate for Wisconsin governor.
- Alison Schuster – White House spokesperson.
Official Statements & Responses
The FBI confirmed it is “aware of the social-media post” and reiterated that “threats of violence or terrorism will be investigated.” The Wisconsin Democratic Party called the rhetoric “completely unacceptable” and urged immediate retraction. The White House labeled the comments “vile political rhetoric…extremely dangerous and life-threatening.” The RNC described the post as “disgusting” and said “Wisconsin Democrats are so sick in the head that an attempted murder is funny to them.” Several Democratic candidates, including Francesca Hong and Mandela Barnes, issued statements denouncing any celebration of political violence.
Criticism & Opposition
Republican officials, from the RNC to Rep. Tom Tiffany, condemned Bangstad’s remarks as “over-the-top” and warned that “the people of Wisconsin are watching.” Democratic figures such as Rebecca Cooke and Missy Hughes also labeled the language “dangerous” and “unacceptable,” urging a broader cultural shift away from normalizing violence. Some Democrats, including Francesca Hong, refrained from naming Bangstad directly, while others, like Michael Alfonso, highlighted Bangstad’s political connections to emphasize the seriousness of the incident.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Bangstad’s post suggested the April 25 shooting might have been “faked,” a claim not substantiated by law-enforcement sources. The FBI’s statement confirmed awareness but did not confirm any threat or staging. Media outlets reported divergent views on the shooter’s motive, with some noting speculation about a staged event and others emphasizing the suspect’s anti-Trump manifesto. The brewery’s own narrative oscillates between “hyperbole” and “gallows humor,” creating ambiguity about whether the promotion is a serious threat or a provocative stunt.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Hateful rhetoric and speech are despicable,” — Caroline Clancy, FBI Milwaukee spokeswoman
- “212 NEWS THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF WISCONSIN SAYING THIS RHETORIC IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE AND SHOULD BE RETRACTED IMMEDIATELY.” — Phil Shulman, Wisconsin Democratic Party spokesperson
- “We're not afraid to call out this sort of inappropriate behavior, no matter where it comes from — our GOP colleagues should learn to do the same.” — Phil Shulman
- “'Vile political rhetoric like this is extremely dangerous and life-threatening,' Shuster said.” — Alison Schuster, White House spokesperson
- “ Every time you write a story about us, our beer sales go through the roof.” — Kirk Bangstad, Minocqua Brewing Company owner
- “Leave it to the Corporate Dems and politically naive Democratic gubernatorial candidates to take the bate (sic) and condemn 'political violence' or 'politically violent rhetoric' after the 3rd questionably/arguable fake assassination attempt against Trump,” — Kirk Bangstad
Impact and Why It Matters
The episode highlights how commercial enterprises can become platforms for partisan messaging, blurring lines between political advocacy and business promotion. It has triggered boycotts in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illinois, prompted legal scrutiny of the brewery’s Super PAC, and intensified debate over the role of incendiary rhetoric in a polarized electoral environment.
What’s Next
The FBI continues to monitor the situation for potential threats. State and federal election officials may review the brewery’s Super PAC finances. Upcoming primary contests in Wisconsin, including the gubernatorial race featuring Francesca Hong, are likely to feature renewed calls for candidates to distance themselves from Bangstad’s statements.
