FBI Targets Brewery After Trump Death Joke

A Wisconsin brewery owner who sparked federal investigation after mocking a failed assassination attempt on President Trump is now connected to leading Democratic gubernatorial candidates, raising serious questions about the judgment of those he’s aligned with.

Story Snapshot

Kirk Bangstad’s brewery posted “we almost got #freebeerday” moments after the April 2026 assassination attempt on President Trump
The post referenced Bangstad’s long-standing promotion promising free beer “the day he dies” for Trump
FBI and Secret Service launched investigations into the social media post following the White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting
Bangstad maintains close ties to Wisconsin Democratic gubernatorial frontrunner Francesca Hong and other party insiders

Controversial Promotion Sparks Federal Scrutiny

Kirk Bangstad, owner of Minocqua Brewing Company in northern Wisconsin, launched a disturbing promotional campaign years ago promising customers free beer for an entire day when President Trump dies. The brewery sold merchandise emblazoned with phrases like “I wish it was free beer day” and promoted the offer on social media. When Fox News spotlighted the promotion in January 2026, Bangstad doubled down, stating celebrations would be welcome but “no red hats allowed.” This wasn’t merely dark humor from a random business owner, but a calculated political statement from a Democratic activist with deep connections to Wisconsin’s progressive establishment.

Timing of Post Raises Serious Concerns

On April 25, 2026, gunfire erupted at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner at the Washington Hilton Hotel. Suspect Cole Allen was apprehended after the attack on President Trump. Within moments of the attempted assassination, Minocqua Brewing Company posted to Facebook: “Well, we almost got #freebeerday.” The timing shocked even those accustomed to inflammatory political rhetoric. Federal law enforcement immediately took notice. Both the FBI and Secret Service confirmed they were aware of the post and launched investigations into whether it crossed the line from protected speech into dangerous territory. The brewery subsequently deleted the post amid mounting backlash, but the damage to public trust was done.

Democratic Insider With Political Ambitions

Bangstad is far from an apolitical small business owner expressing personal opinions. He ran as a Democrat for Wisconsin’s 34th Assembly District in 2020, losing to a Republican opponent. He founded a super PAC specifically targeting Trump and Republican candidates. In 2023, he filed an official complaint attempting to bar Trump from Wisconsin’s 2024 ballot. His brewery employed Rebecca Cooke, a Democratic candidate, and he maintains close friendships with prominent Wisconsin Democrats. Alfonso Duffy, a Republican candidate for Wisconsin’s 7th Congressional District, highlighted these connections on social media, noting that Bangstad “is friends with” gubernatorial frontrunner Francesca Hong and “employed Cooke.” When asked about the relationship, Hong’s campaign deflected, referring reporters to social media posts rather than offering substantive answers.

Pattern of Extremist Rhetoric Goes Unchecked

The April incident wasn’t an isolated lapse in judgment. Bangstad has consistently used his business platform to promote aggressive anti-Trump messaging, branding Minocqua Brewing Company as selling “snarky progressive merch” alongside craft beer. This business model capitalizes on political division, turning hatred of a sitting president into a revenue stream. The fact that he faces no apparent consequences from Democratic allies speaks volumes. Wisconsin Democrats running for high office have refused to meaningfully distance themselves from Bangstad despite federal investigations into his conduct. This silence suggests either agreement with his extreme rhetoric or political calculation that condemning it would alienate their progressive base.

Implications for Wisconsin’s Political Landscape

The controversy erupted at a critical moment for Wisconsin Democrats ahead of the 2026 midterm elections and gubernatorial race. Republican candidates seized on Bangstad’s ties to Democratic frontrunners, using them to paint the opposition as tolerant of violent rhetoric. For voters weary of political extremism from both parties, the episode reinforces concerns that elected officials prioritize partisan loyalty over basic decency and public safety. Northern Wisconsin, where Bangstad’s brewery operates in Oneida County, represents swing territory where such controversies can shift electoral outcomes. The federal investigation remains active as of May 2026, with no charges filed against Bangstad. Whether his First Amendment rights protect such speech or whether it constitutes incitement remains unresolved, but the political fallout continues regardless of legal outcomes.

The Leftist Brewery Owner Who Promised Free Beer for Trump's Assassination Is Running for WI Governor https://t.co/nKXNQiuqTu

— 🌺🌿kam🌿🌺 (@pjkate) May 5, 2026

As Americans watch federal agencies investigate a brewery owner’s celebration of a near-miss presidential assassination, they’re left wondering: where are the voices of Democratic leadership condemning this behavior? The silence from those who claim to defend democratic norms and civil discourse reveals a troubling double standard. When political allies engage in reprehensible conduct, too many politicians choose expediency over principle, calculating that denouncing extremism might cost them votes. This incident underscores a broader reality that frustrates citizens across the political spectrum: our leaders seem more committed to winning elections than to maintaining the basic standards of decency that should unite Americans regardless of party affiliation.