FBI Visits Brewery Owner—Days Later He Announces Campaign

FBI agent holding a gun behind the back.

A Wisconsin brewery owner who mocked a failed assassination attempt on President Trump and has openly promoted celebrations of his death has announced a run for governor, drawing federal scrutiny and exposing the extreme fringe of the Democratic Party in a critical swing state.

Story Snapshot

Kirk Bangstad posted “we almost got #freebeerday” after an April 2026 assassination attempt on Trump, suggesting the shooter needed better “marksmanship”
FBI and Secret Service interviewed Bangstad following his social media post about the attack at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner
The Minocqua Brewing Company owner announced a gubernatorial bid days after federal investigators questioned him
Bangstad has long promoted a “free beer day” pledge tied to Trump’s death and sells anti-Trump merchandise including shirts reading “Is he dead yet?”
Despite ties to Wisconsin Democratic figures, the serial candidate has a history of electoral failures and now faces national backlash

Federal Investigation Follows Shocking Social Media Post

Kirk Bangstad crossed a line that prompted federal law enforcement action when he posted on Facebook following the April 25, 2026 assassination attempt on President Trump at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. His message speculated that 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.” The FBI and Secret Service visited Bangstad and his lawyer around April 29 for an interview regarding what authorities characterized as “perceived threats.” This federal response underscores the seriousness with which law enforcement now treats inflammatory rhetoric following multiple attempts on Trump’s life.

Long History of Death Wishes and Anti-Trump Extremism

The Minocqua Brewing Company has built its brand around progressive activism and explicit anti-Trump messaging that goes far beyond typical political opposition. For years, Bangstad has promoted a “free beer day” promise explicitly tied to Trump’s death, selling merchandise emblazoned with phrases like “I wish it was free beer day” and “Is he dead yet?” In January 2026, Fox News reported that Bangstad welcomed celebrations of Trump’s “impending death” with a caveat of “no red hats allowed.” This pattern reveals not ordinary political discourse but a disturbing fixation that monetizes hatred and normalizes violence. The brewery’s super PAC has targeted Republicans while Bangstad previously sued to bar Trump from Wisconsin’s 2024 ballot, demonstrating a multi-pronged effort to eliminate Trump from politics by any means.

Failed Politician Launches Improbable Governor Bid

Days after his federal interview, Bangstad announced via Facebook livestream on approximately May 2 that he would run for Wisconsin governor, framing his candidacy as necessary to “stand up to Trump” and “save our democracy.” The irony is palpable: a man who just mocked an assassination attempt now wraps himself in democratic principles. Bangstad lost his 2020 race for Wisconsin Assembly District 34 and has no viable path in the Democratic primary, where Francesca Hong is the frontrunner and happens to be his friend. His track record of failure and extreme rhetoric makes him unelectable, but his candidacy serves to embarrass Wisconsin Democrats and provide Republicans with potent ammunition heading into the crucial 2026 midterms in this battleground state.

Implications for Free Speech and Political Accountability

Bangstad’s case raises fundamental questions about where legitimate political speech ends and dangerous incitement begins. While Americans cherish First Amendment protections, openly speculating about assassins’ marksmanship and profiting from death wishes against a sitting president tests those boundaries. The federal investigation suggests authorities recognize the potential for such rhetoric to inspire actual violence, especially given the real assassination attempts Trump has survived. For ordinary citizens watching this unfold, the double standard is glaring: conservatives face swift de-platforming and condemnation for far less inflammatory statements, while Bangstad continues operating his business and launching political campaigns. This exemplifies how establishment institutions often give the radical left room to maneuver that would never be afforded to the right, fueling Americans’ growing distrust of a system that seems to protect elites and their allies while punishing dissent from everyday people.

Wisconsin Democrats Face Uncomfortable Questions

Bangstad is not operating in isolation from the Democratic Party establishment. He has employed Rebecca Cooke, a 2026 congressional candidate running against Republican Derrick Van Orden, and maintains close ties with gubernatorial frontrunner Francesca Hong. These connections force Wisconsin Democrats to either denounce Bangstad’s extremism or remain silent and appear complicit. His announcement criticizes the Democratic field as insufficiently anti-Trump, suggesting he views his own radicalism as a feature rather than a bug. For a party already struggling with voter perceptions that it has moved too far left and prioritizes Trump hatred over governing, Bangstad’s candidacy becomes a liability. Republicans, including Trump allies like the in-law of former Representative Sean Duffy, are already weaponizing this story to paint Wisconsin Democrats as harboring dangerous extremists who celebrate political violence.