President Donald Trump has endorsed MyPillow founder Mike Lindell in Minnesota’s crowded Republican race for governor, giving one of his most loyal political allies a potentially significant boost just weeks before the state’s August primary.
In a Truth Social post Wednesday, Trump described Lindell as a hardworking patriot who had made major personal sacrifices while campaigning on what the president called election integrity. Trump said Lindell had his complete endorsement and predicted that the businessman would “make Minnesota great again.”
Lindell has spent years promoting allegations that the 2020 presidential election was stolen from Trump. Courts, election officials and multiple reviews did not find evidence supporting claims of widespread fraud capable of changing the election result.
The endorsement places Trump in direct competition with Minnesota Republican Party leaders, who selected former health care executive and Army veteran Kendall Qualls as their endorsed candidate at the party’s May convention. Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth is also continuing her campaign despite losing the official party endorsement.
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The Republican primary is scheduled for August 11, and early voting is already underway. Other candidates on the ballot include state Representative Peggy Bennett and several lesser-known contenders.
Trump’s backing could help Lindell consolidate Republican voters who prioritize loyalty to the president. It may also weaken Qualls’ ability to turn the state party endorsement into a decisive advantage.
Lindell became nationally known through MyPillow television advertisements before emerging as a highly visible Trump supporter. He officially entered the governor’s race in December 2025, presenting himself as a political outsider capable of addressing fraud, addiction, homelessness and government spending.
The eventual Republican nominee is likely to face Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar, who entered the governor’s race after incumbent Tim Walz decided not to seek a third term. Klobuchar is currently considered the Democratic frontrunner.
Recent polling suggests Republicans face a difficult general election regardless of whom they nominate.
A June Minnesota Poll conducted for the Minnesota Star Tribune, KARE 11 and the University of Minnesota’s Hubbard School found Klobuchar leading Lindell by 53% to 36% in a hypothetical matchup, with 11% undecided. She also led Qualls and Demuth, although by smaller margins.
Polling several months before an election can change significantly, particularly before voters know the final nominees. Trump’s endorsement may improve Lindell’s position in the Republican primary while also giving Democrats another opportunity to connect the GOP ticket to disputes over the 2020 election.
Lindell is also facing questions about whether he satisfies Minnesota’s residency requirement.
The Minnesota Constitution requires candidates for governor to have been bona fide residents of the state for at least one year before the general election. Lindell was previously registered to vote in Texas and described himself as a Texas citizen in a court filing, but he says he has re-established Minnesota residency and will qualify for the November ballot. No official ruling has declared him ineligible.
Lindell was born in Minnesota and built MyPillow into a major business in the state, but legal residency generally depends on a person’s actual home and intent rather than birthplace or business connections alone. Any formal challenge would need to examine his address, voter registration and other evidence.
The race is open because Walz, the Democratic governor and 2024 vice-presidential nominee, chose not to seek another term. Minnesota has not elected a Republican governor since Tim Pawlenty won re-election in 2006, making the state a longstanding but potentially attractive target for the national GOP.
Trump’s endorsement may therefore carry both opportunity and risk. It could provide Lindell with national attention, fundraising support and immediate credibility among Republican primary voters. But his close association with disputed election claims could make it more difficult to win independents in November, particularly against an experienced statewide candidate such as Klobuchar.
Why It Matters
Minnesota’s governor will influence state taxes, education, policing, health care and the response to allegations of fraud involving public programs.
The primary will also test whether Trump’s personal endorsement can overcome the preference of state Republican activists, who selected Qualls. A Lindell victory would further demonstrate the president’s control over GOP nominations, while a loss would show that local party structures and candidate-electability concerns still matter.
What Comes Next
Republican candidates will compete for voters through the August 11 primary, with Lindell expected to emphasize Trump’s endorsement heavily in advertisements and campaign appearances.
The winner will advance to the November 3 general election, where the Democratic nominee will enter as the early favorite but face a national political environment that could shift before Election Day.
Donald Trump endorsed Mike Lindell ahead of Minnesota’s Republican primary for governor.
🚨 JUST IN: Donald Trump endorses MIKE LINDELL for Governor of Minnesota
“He can do it! Nobody has sacrificed more than Mike Lindell in fighting for our country, especially when it comes to Election Integrity. He truly deserves everything he gets – He will MAKE MINNESOTA GREAT… pic.twitter.com/51ZutkAWdr
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) July 15, 2026
