MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell, Trump Loyalist and Election Denier, Launches Bid for Minnesota Governor
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Mike Lindell, CEO of MyPillow and notorious supporter of Donald Trump’s baseless election claims, has announced his run for governor of Minnesota, raising concerns about the spread of misinformation and far-right influence in state politics.
Mike Lindell, CEO of MyPillow and a prominent supporter of former President Donald Trump, has announced his candidacy for governor of Minnesota in the upcoming election, signaling a troubling escalation of far-right influence in state politics. In a speech delivered on his own platform, Lindell declared, "Those who know me know I'm up to the task," a statement that echoes the self-assured rhetoric common among Trump loyalists.
Lindell has been a relentless promoter of the thoroughly debunked claims regarding the 2020 presidential election, fueling conspiracy theories and undermining public trust in democracy. His actions have led to multiple legal challenges. In June, a federal jury in Colorado found that he had defamed a former employee of Dominion Voting Systems, a company targeted by election deniers. Both Dominion and Smartmatic have filed defamation lawsuits against him, highlighting the dangerous consequences of spreading misinformation.
The Republican primary for Minnesota governor is becoming a battleground for increasingly extreme candidates. Other declared candidates include state House Speaker Lisa Demuth, attorney Chris Madel, state Representative Kristin Robbins, and Scott Jensen, the GOP nominee from 2022. The winner will face incumbent Governor Tim Walz, who is seeking a third term and has worked to protect Minnesota from right-wing extremism.
Governor Walz's campaign has already begun to respond to Lindell's entry into the race. Following Lindell's filing of campaign paperwork, Walz's team launched a fundraising email campaign warning supporters about Lindell's candidacy and the threat it poses to democratic norms. In his announcement, Lindell attacked Governor Walz for so-called mismanagement, particularly referencing a fraud scandal involving pandemic-era welfare programs, a favorite talking point of conservative critics. Lindell claimed he would address issues of fraud and public safety, touting his experience running MyPillow as a qualification for the highest office in the state—a notion many see as deeply troubling given his record of spreading falsehoods and undermining democratic institutions.
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