Donald Trump Endorses Mike Lindell for Minnesota Governor

President Donald Trump endorsed MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell for governor of Minnesota on July 15, 2026, via Truth Social. Trump praised Lindell as a top patriot and fighter for election integrity, while claiming Minnesota elections are rigged and labeling outgoing Governor Tim Walz as incompetent. The endorsement comes shortly before a scheduled national address by Trump on election security.

The move has created a rift within the Minnesota Republican Party. The party had previously endorsed Army veteran Kendall Qualls, and Lindell is also competing against House Speaker Lisa Demuth in the August 11 primary. Minnesota Republican Party Chairman Alex Plechash expressed surprise at the choice, citing Lindell's serious financial baggage and concerns that his candidacy could hand Democrats a trifecta in the state.

Lindell faces Democratic frontrunner U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar in the general election. June polling suggests Klobuchar leads Lindell 53% to 36% in a hypothetical matchup. DFL Party Chair Richard Carlbom dismissed Lindell as an election-denying Trump clone, while Klobuchar stated she hopes to be the choice of Minnesota voters rather than the choice of Trump.