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Wisconsin Brewery Under Fire for Post About “Free Beer Day” Following Assassination Attempt
A Wisconsin brewery known for promising “free beer” when former President Donald Trump dies is facing renewed scrutiny after posting “we almost got #freebeerday” on social media following Saturday’s security incident at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
Minocqua Brewing Company, owned by Wisconsin Democrat and former state Assembly candidate Kirk Bangstad, has repeatedly used its brand to criticize Trump and Republicans. The brewery’s Facebook post addressing the foiled attack at the dinner read: “Well, we almost got #freebeerday. 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. We’ll never know.”
The post concluded with, “Regardless, we stand at the ready to pour free beer the day it happens.”
This is not the first time the northern Wisconsin brewery has drawn controversy for its anti-Trump messaging. In January, Fox News reported on Minocqua Brewing’s “free beer day” vow, in which the establishment offered “free beer, all day long, the day he dies.” Bangstad added a caveat that people could come celebrate Trump’s “impending death” but specified “no red hats allowed.”
Beyond its contentious social media presence, the brewery has established itself as an explicitly political business. It sells merchandise with slogans like “I wish it was free beer day” and markets itself as pairing beer with progressive activism and “snarky progressive merch.”
The brewery’s latest post came hours after Trump and former First Lady Melania Trump were evacuated from the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington when shots were reportedly fired outside the venue.
Bangstad’s political activism extends beyond his brewery’s messaging. He founded the Minocqua Brewing Company super PAC, which targets Trump and Republican candidates. He also previously filed a lawsuit attempting to keep Trump off Wisconsin ballots before the 2024 presidential election. His 2020 bid for Wisconsin’s 34th Assembly District ended in defeat.
The brewery owner has faced legal troubles as well. According to Wisconsin Public Radio, Bangstad was charged last year in a harassment case related to a dispute with a local newspaper publisher. Wisconsin news outlets reported that he later entered a no-contest plea in a disorderly conduct case and was found guilty earlier this month.
The brewery’s rhetoric has drawn criticism from Republican candidates in the state. Michael Alfonso, a Trump-backed House candidate, called out what he sees as the normalization of Bangstad’s statements.
“This brewery is owned by a man named Kirk Bangstad, and he’s not just some random crazy guy,” Alfonso posted on X. “Kirk is friends with current Democratic gubernatorial frontrunner Francesca Hong. He previously employed Rebecca Cooke, the Democrat currently running against Derrick Van Orden, and was himself the Democratic nominee against my father-in-law, Sean Duffy, in Wisconsin’s 7th Congressional District—where I am now running for office.”
The Republican National Committee has called on Wisconsin Democrats to denounce the brewery’s messaging. “Wisconsin Democrats are so sick in the head that an attempted murder is funny to them,” RNC spokeswoman Delanie Bomar said. “All Wisconsin Democrats, including Rebecca Cooke, must immediately condemn this disgusting behavior.”
As of Sunday, neither Bangstad, the brewery, nor the Wisconsin Democratic Party had responded to requests for comment about the latest controversy surrounding the establishment’s politically charged marketing.
The incident highlights the increasingly contentious political atmosphere in Wisconsin, a key battleground state where partisan tensions continue to escalate ahead of the 2024 elections.
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7 Comments
This is a very concerning and inappropriate response from the brewery. Promoting or celebrating violence, even in jest, is unacceptable. As a business, they should be focused on serving their community, not making polarizing political statements.
While political tensions are high, the brewery’s comments about ‘free beer day’ are highly problematic. Businesses should remain neutral and avoid making light of violence or assassination attempts, no matter the political context.
This brewery’s response is highly concerning and inappropriate. Promoting or celebrating violence, even hypothetically, sets a dangerous precedent. Business owners should focus on serving their community, not making politically-charged statements that could incite harm.
The brewery’s response is deeply concerning and inappropriate. Promoting or celebrating violence, even hypothetically, is never acceptable. As a business, they should be focused on serving their community, not making divisive political statements.
While I understand the political tensions, this brewery’s comments about ‘free beer day’ are deeply troubling. Businesses should remain neutral and avoid making light of assassination attempts or violence, no matter the political leanings involved.
This is a deeply troubling statement from the brewery. Regardless of political views, we should all condemn any rhetoric that could be seen as encouraging violence or assassination attempts. Business owners need to be more responsible with their messaging.
The brewery’s response is in very poor taste. Regardless of political affiliation, we should condemn any rhetoric that could be seen as celebrating or encouraging violence. As a business owner, they should be more responsible and thoughtful with their messaging.