Trump Endorses Mike Lindell for Minnesota Governor

President Donald Trump has endorsed Mike Lindell, the MyPillow founder and prominent election conspiracy theorist, for governor of Minnesota — a move that dramatically reshapes the state’s Republican primary just four weeks before the August 11 vote. Trump announced the endorsement Wednesday on his Truth Social platform, calling Lindell “one of America’s greatest and most hard working Patriots” and giving him “COMPLETE AND TOTAL ENDORSEMENT,” according to AP News.

The Endorsement and Its Timing

Trump’s backing of Lindell — whom he referred to as “the ‘Pillow Man’” — comes one day before the president is scheduled to deliver a primetime address on election security, underscoring the centrality of election integrity claims to his political strategy heading into the 2026 midterms. In his Truth Social post, Trump wrote that “nobody has sacrificed more than Mike Lindell in fighting for our country, especially when it comes to Election Integrity,” as Fox9 reported.

Lindell, who built MyPillow into a nationally recognized brand through extensive television advertising, has been one of Trump’s most vocal allies since the 2020 election, repeatedly promoting false claims that the election was stolen from Trump. Responding to the endorsement, Lindell told the Star Tribune: “My mind is just rolling because I’m so excited. There’s so much hope, and now it’s just … to a whole new level.”

A Crowded and Fractured Primary Field

Lindell is one of three major Republican candidates competing in the August 11 primary. The field also includes Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth and Kendall Qualls, a retired health care executive who won the state GOP endorsement at the party’s convention in Duluth in May. Qualls responded to Trump’s endorsement by asserting that “this race won’t be won by national endorsements,” while Demuth issued a statement focused on uniting the party, as the Star Tribune reported.

The endorsement has created visible tension within the Minnesota Republican Party. Alex Plechash, chair of the Republican Party of Minnesota, issued a rare public rebuke of Lindell, pointing to his residency in Texas, delinquent property taxes, and what he called “significant electability concerns.” Plechash warned that nominating Lindell “creates the very real possibility of another DFL trifecta,” according to the Star Tribune.

The General Election Picture

On the Democratic side, U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar is the DFL-endorsed candidate for governor. A June Star Tribune/KARE 11/Hubbard School Minnesota Poll showed Klobuchar leading Lindell 53% to 36% in a hypothetical general election matchup — her strongest performance against any Republican contender tested. Klobuchar responded to the endorsement with a pointed statement: “Mike Lindell is Donald Trump’s choice. I hope to be Minnesota’s,” as The Guardian reported.

The governor’s seat is open because incumbent Gov. Tim Walz, the 2024 Democratic vice-presidential nominee, announced in January that he would not seek a third term. His decision came amid intense scrutiny over fraud in state-administered federally supported childcare programs — an issue Trump has made a political focus.

Lindell’s Legal Troubles

Lindell’s endorsement comes amid significant legal exposure. He faces a federal defamation suit from voting technology company Smartmatic, which won a summary judgment against him in 2025; a jury will now decide whether to award the $1.5 billion in damages Smartmatic is seeking. He was also found liable for defaming former Dominion Voting Systems executive Eric Coomer, a decision he is appealing. In June 2026, Lindell reached a confidential settlement with Dominion Voting Systems, which had sought $1.3 billion in damages, as Mediaite reported.

Major retailers including Bed Bath & Beyond, Kohl’s, and Walmart dropped MyPillow from their shelves following Lindell’s election claims. A residency question also hangs over his campaign: Lindell had been living in Texas and described himself as “a Texas citizen” in a court filing, though he has since said he re-established Minnesota residency to meet the state’s requirements.

Broader Implications

There are 36 gubernatorial elections in November 2026, with Republicans currently holding 26 governorships to the Democrats’ 24. Republicans view Minnesota — a state that has not voted for a Republican presidential candidate since 1972 — as a potential flip opportunity, though Trump’s unpopularity in the state complicates that calculus. The race is unfolding against a backdrop of multiple traumatic events in Minnesota over the past year, including the killing of two Minnesotans by federal immigration officers, the assassination of a state legislative leader, and a school shooting that killed multiple children.

What to Watch

The August 11 primary will determine whether Trump’s endorsement can overcome the concerns of party leadership and deliver Lindell the nomination. If Lindell prevails, the general election will test whether a candidate burdened by legal liabilities, a residency question, and significant polling deficits can compete in a state that has become a key battleground in the 2026 midterms. Trump’s primetime address on election security, scheduled for Thursday, is expected to further amplify the issues at the center of Lindell’s campaign.