Full Breakdown
Trump Endorses MyPillow Founder Mike Lindell for Minnesota Governor
7/16/2026, 5:18:25 AM
Core Event
On July 15 2026, former President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that he gives his “complete and total endorsement” to Mike Lindell, founder and CEO of MyPillow, in the Minnesota Republican gubernatorial primary. Trump described Lindell as “one of America’s greatest and most hard-working Patriots” and said the candidate will “bring the state back from oblivion and embarrassment.”
Background & Context
Lindell rose to national prominence through late-night infomercials and as a vocal supporter of Trump’s false 2020-election-fraud claims. He entered the gubernatorial race in December 2025. The incumbent Democratic governor, Tim Walz, announced in January 2024 that he would not seek a third term after criticism over a federal-funded child-care fraud investigation that prosecutors say involved up to $9 billion in misused funds. The vacancy turned the 2026 race into a focal point for Trump’s election-integrity narrative and for ongoing debates over Minnesota’s immigration-enforcement policies.
Key Figures & Groups
- Donald Trump – former president, endorsing candidate.
- Mike Lindell – MyPillow founder, election-fraud promoter, GOP primary contender.
- Amy Klobuchar – U.S. senator, presumptive Democratic nominee.
- Lisa Demuth – Minnesota House Speaker, Republican primary rival.
- Kendall Qualls – Businessman who secured the state GOP’s May endorsement.
- Richard Carlbom – Minnesota DFL Party chair, critic of the endorsement.
Timeline
- December 2025 – Lindell announces gubernatorial candidacy.
- January 2024 – Gov. Walz withdraws from re-election bid.
- May 2026 – Kendall Qualls wins the state GOP’s official endorsement.
- July 15 2026 – Trump issues full endorsement of Lindell.
- August 11 2026 – Republican primary election.
- November 3 2026 – General election for governor.
Data & Statistics
- SurveyUSA/KSTP (June 11-16): Lindell 27 %, Demuth 22 %, Qualls 17 % of likely Republican primary voters; 24 % undecided.
- Private Business Council (June 23-25): Demuth 34 %, Qualls 28 %, Lindell 24 % support.
- Mason-Dixon (June 8-10): In a hypothetical general-election matchup, Klobuchar 53 % vs. Lindell 36 %.
- Emerson College (Feb 6-8): Klobuchar leads Lindell by 22 points (53 % to 31 %).
Why It Matters / Impact
Trump’s backing elevates Lindell above a crowded GOP field and signals to MAGA voters that the primary will serve as a referendum on election-integrity rhetoric. The endorsement also forces Minnesota Republicans to weigh electability concerns—Lindell trails in most general-election polls and faces pending defamation lawsuits from Dominion Voting Systems and Smartmatic. For Democrats, the endorsement underscores the challenge of defending a state that has not elected a Republican governor since 2006.
Official Statements & Responses
- Trump framed Lindell as a “spectacular” patriot who will “make Minnesota great again.”
- Lindell thanked the president, calling the endorsement “huge” and “exciting,” and said it would give Minnesotans “hope for change.”
- Demuth emphasized a focus on “uniting all corners of the party” and defeating “radical Democrats.”
- Klobuchar posted that Lindell is Trump’s choice and reiterated her own candidacy.
- Carlbom warned that the endorsement shows “MAGa voters expect their candidates to be a rubber stamp for Donald Trump, regardless of how much it hurts Minnesotans.”
Criticism & Opposition
DFL leaders label Lindell “Minnesota’s election-denying Trump clone.” Party officials note his legal liabilities, a disputed residency claim (he was registered to vote in Texas before re-establishing Minnesota residency), and a history of defamation judgments. GOP strategist Preya Samsundar called the endorsement a “mistake,” arguing that name recognition does not translate into voter favorability.
On-the-Ground Reports
Early voting began in late June, with Lindell telling local radio that eliminating voting machines in favor of hand counts and paper ballots is a top priority. He described the endorsement as “a huge win” for his campaign.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Polling shows divergent views of Lindell’s primary standing (SurveyUSA vs. Private Business Council). His residency status remains under scrutiny, and the outcomes of pending lawsuits could affect his eligibility or public perception.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Mike Lindell, the ‘Pillow Man,’ and one of America’s greatest and most hard working Patriots, is running to be GOVERNOR OF MINNESOTA,” — Donald Trump
- “Mike will be SPECTACULAR!!! He truly loves Minnesota, as do I, and wants to bring it back from oblivion and embarrassment. He can do it!” — Donald Trump
- “I think it's gonna give people hope now in Minnesota that we have change,” — Mike Lindell (WCCO)
- “Mike Lindell is Donald Trump's choice. I hope to be Minnesota’s.” — Amy Klobuchar (X)
- “Mike Lindell is Minnesota's election-denying Trump clone,” — Richard Carlbom (Minnesota DFL Party Chair)
What’s Next
Minnesota voters will decide the Republican nominee on August 11 2026. The winner will face Amy Klobuchar in the November 3 2026 general election, with both parties closely watching how Trump’s endorsement influences turnout and candidate positioning.
