Minocqua Brewery’s Trump Death Promotion Sparks Massive Backlash

During the White House Correspondents' Dinner on Saturday, April 25, 2026, the Secret Service rushed President Trump to safety after a gunman opened fire near a security checkpoint at the Washington Hilton. While a Secret Service agent was struck in their bulletproof vest, no attendees were harmed, and the suspect, 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen, was quickly taken into custody.

Shortly after the incident, the Minocqua Brewing Company sparked intense backlash by posting, "Well, we almost got #freebeerday" on social media. The Minocqua, Wisconsin, brewery has a long-standing and highly controversial promotion promising to give away free beer for an entire day upon the death of President Trump.

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The brewery posted this message on Facebook Saturday evening, "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. Regardless, we stand at the ready to pour free beer the day it happens."

According to a report from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Wisconsin Democrats and liberal leaders are speaking out against the Minocqua Brewing Company following its controversial social media post.

Party officials quickly distanced themselves from the brewery’s comments, calling the post "repugnant" and making it clear that there is no room for political violence in our country.

The brewery is owned by Kirk Bangstad, a former state Assembly candidate who has repeatedly used the brewery’s brand to attack Trump and Republicans, according to Fox News.

Bangstad continues to receive backlash online, and his business account continues to respond to critics. Rather than walking back the comments or offering an apology in the wake of the security scare, Bangstad has doubled down on the "Free Beer Day" branding, frequently engaging with those calling him out on social media.

Below are the latest responses from the Minocqua Brewing Company Facebook page: