(TNND) — A Wisconsin brewery with a history of provocative political messaging is facing backlash after appearing to joke about a recent assassination attempt on President Donald Trump.
The Minocqua Brewing Company, which is owned by former state Assembly candidate Kirk Bangstad — who is a Democrat — posted on social media that “we almost got #freebeerday” after gunfire erupted at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Saturday night.
“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,” the Minocqua Brewing Company wrote on Facebook.
“We’ll never know. Regardless, we stand at the ready to pour free beer the day it happens,” according to the post.
The comment appeared to reference the brewery’s long-running promotion promising free beer on the day Trump dies — a pledge that has drawn criticism in the past.
The post also included a link to minocquamarketplace.com, which sells merchandise, including T-shirts that read, “I wish it was free beer day at Minocqua Brewing Company.”
Republicans condemned the message as inappropriate and dangerous, arguing it trivialized political violence. Congressman Derrick Van Orden described it as “disgusting.”
“Disgusting. This has got to stop,” Van Orden wrote on Facebook. “God bless America and God bless our President.”
WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 25: Members of the media raise their hands as U.S. President Donald Trump takes questions during a press conference in the Brady Briefing Room of the White House on April 25, 2026 in Washington, DC. President Trump is making a statement after the cancelation of the annual White House Correspondents Association Dinner after a possible shooting. (Photo by Nathan Howard/Getty Images)
Bangstad is known for despising Trump. In 2023, he made headlines after he filed a complaint to ban Trump from being on Wisconsin’s 2024 primary ballot.
“Despite the President being the highest-ranking government official in the United States and arguably the most important head of state in the world, there are only four Constitutional requirements that a candidate must meet to serve as President of the United States of America. They must be a natural born citizen, have lived in the United States for at least 14 years, be over the age of 35 and have never engaged in an insurrection after having previously taken an oath of office. Donald J. Trump fails to meet those requirements and may not serve as President of the United States of America,” according to the complaint.
Trump, as well as Vice President JD Vance, were safely evacuated from the dinner after gunshots were fired. An officer was shot, but he was protected by a bulletproof vest.
Trump said the suspected shooter, identified as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen, of Torrance, California, was armed with multiple weapons before being stopped by Secret Service. He was arrested and is facing multiple charges, including attempted assassination.
The incident marked the third time in less than two years that Trump faced a direct threat to his life. It follows two prior assassination attempts, including one during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania on July 13, 2024, and again two months later at one of the president’s golf courses in Florida.
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EDITOR’S NOTE: The Associated Press contributed to this report.
