Mike Lindell prepares to film a video at MyPillow headquarters in Chaska, Minnesota, Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023. Photo by Nicole Neri/Minnesota Reformer
Mike Lindell, the right-wing influencer and pillow salesman who has spent years spinning a debunked tale about the results of the 2020 election, is strongly considering a run for governor, the Star Tribune reported Friday.
Lindell has been accused of domestic violence; admitted to filing a “fake bankruptcy”; has made and lost fortunes; claimed to have spent 14 days awake on cocaine before his drug dealers staged an intervention; and once made a $5 million challenge to anyone who could disprove his claim that the 2020 election was stolen from President Donald Trump, only to have a computer programmer meet the challenge, leading to years of litigation.
Lindell’s current financial status is mostly opaque because his companies are private. He’s acknowledged financial struggles, both personal and corporate. He’s blamed the money issues on being “canceled” by mainstream media and retailers for his close ties to Trump.
The Strib reports that “Lindell is on the hook for $2.3 million, pending appeal, following a defamation verdict related to his election-fraud claims. He said in testimony during that case he is $10 million in debt.”
If the second Trump presidency has brought him financial relief and he can put up money for the campaign, he could become a top-tier contender for the Republican nomination for governor given his name recognition and daily production of media content selling himself and his products.
Other major Republican candidates are 2022 GOP nominee Scott Jensen, a physician who served a term in the state Senate; Kendall Qualls, a failed candidate for Congress and governor, an Army veteran and former health care executive; and Rep. Kristen Robbins of the west metro.
Democratic-Farmer-Labor Gov. Tim Walz recently announced he’s running for a third term.