Trump endorses ‘Pillow Man’ Mike Lindell in Minnesota governor’s race

Campaign Trump endorses ‘Pillow Man’ Mike Lindell in Minnesota governor’s race Comments: by Steff Danielle Thomas - 07/15/26 11:50 AM ET Comments: Link copied by Steff Danielle Thomas - 07/15/26 11:50 AM ET Comments: Link copied

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President Trump lavished praise on Mike Lindell Wednesday morning, offering the MyPillow founder his “complete and total” endorsement in the Minnesota gubernatorial race.

“Mike Lindell, the “Pillow Man,” and one of America’s greatest and most hard working Patriots, is running to be GOVERNOR OF MINNESOTA, replacing one of the worst and most incompetent governors in the history of the U.S.A.,” he wrote on Truth Social, referencing outgoing Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D).

Lindell jumped into the race last December, joining a large field of candidates looking to succeed Walz. The governor, who was then running for a third term, dropped his reelection bid in January, following scrutiny over his handling of a fraud scandal in the North Star State.

Prosecutors allege as much as $9 billion was stolen by various groups who said they provided meal assistance for children in need, in addition to other services that were reimbursed through state agencies.

Trump has often sparred with the Democratic governor over the fraud allegations, the administration’s crackdown on immigration and the ongoing war in Iran.

The president in his endorsement said Lindell would bring the state back from “oblivion and embarrassment.”

“He can do it! Nobody has sacrificed more than Mike Lindell in fighting for our country, especially when it comes to Election Integrity,” he continued in the endorsement. “He truly deserves everything he gets – He will MAKE MINNESOTA GREAT AGAIN!!!”

Trump added, “MIKE LINDELL HAS MY COMPLETE AND TOTAL ENDORSEMENT – HE WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN. Good Luck Mike!!!”

His entrance into the contest came just months after a federal judge ruled the GOP hopeful defamed Smartmatic with false statements that its voting machines helped rig the 2020 presidential election.

The president has maintained without evidence that his loss to former President Biden in 2020 was not legitimate, raising new doubts around election integrity ahead of November. He is expected to give a primetime speech on Thursday addressing the issue.

Minnesota’s primary election will be held on Aug. 11. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn). leads the crowded field on the other side of the aisle, and she is the favorite to win in November.

Just last month, Lindell said he chose retired Navy Lt. Cmdr. Phillip Parish to serve as his lieutenant governor if elected. The former intelligence officer dropped his own bid to join forces with the MyPillow founder.