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‘Free beer’ for Trump death Dem activist running for Wisconsin gov: ‘I will win’ if they silence me
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Kirk Bangstad, the controversial Wisconsin brewery owner who seemed to offer free beer on Facebook for the assassination of President Donald Trump, is currently seeking the requisite 2,000 signatures for his burgeoning campaign for governor, warning his party he will win the primary if they try to silence him.
«I will win the primary if they don’t let me speak: I guarantee you that,» Bangstad told WISN 12 News this week when asked about speaking at the state Democratic convention.
Bangstad, the owner of Minocqua Brewing Company (MBC), launched his campaign for Wisconsin governor after drawing national scrutiny for a social media post that appeared on the brewery’s Facebook page after an alleged assassination attempt against Trump at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner.
«Well, we almost got #freebeerday,» the April 12 post read just minutes after the WHCA Dinner security event. «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.»
WISCONSIN DEM’S BAR LAMENTS ‘WE ALMOST GOT FREE BEER DAY’ FOR TRUMP ASSASSINATION
The Minocqua Brewing Company is shown in a Google Earth image amid controversy over its «free beer day» campaign referencing the anticipated death of President Donald Trump. (Google Maps)
The news spread so far on social media and in the news that it drew a visit from the U.S. Secret Service and the FBI days later, but Bangstad contends it was merely satirical commentary and not a dog whistle for political violence from leftist radicals like the past three Trump assassination attempts.
«It was satire,» he told WISN 12. «I meant it as satire. I’ve said that all along and it was taken out of context in order to create a feeding frenzy by the media, which it did, and allow Republicans to paint Democrats as politically violent.»
There has been caution from Democrats about Bangstad’s rhetoric for weeks, but it has not stopped him, and he acknowledged it led to his jumping into the gubernatorial race after the federal law enforcement visit, and even has proven lucrative for fundraising, if not his brewery business.
«Remember there was another half of that post that said, ‘or Donald Trump is trying to fake an assassination attempt to get a better news cycle,» Bangstad told WISN 12. «The first part was satire that was trying to set off the second part.»
WISCONSIN MOM ‘SEETHING’ AFTER DEMOCRATS GIVE HER 8-YEAR-OLD SON A CHILLING BRACELET CALLING FOR TRUMP’S DEATH
Minocqua Brewing Company posted an offer for free beer when a man dies on its Facebook page. (Screenshot/Facebook)
Bangstad said he resurfaced his «free beer day» MBC business campaign because «the assassination attempt seemed staged,» acknowledging it has allowed him to gain «name recognition.»
Bangstad pointed to his «250,000 followers on Facebook» and «170,000 subscribers to our Substack page.»
«Most of those people are progressives and a lot of those are progressives who live in Wisconsin, so I would think I have the best name recognition in the state of Wisconsin right now,» Bangstad continued.
«The Democratic Party who has a terrible approval rating across the country and in Wisconsin can say all they want to about me. I’m a true Democrat, a true progressive Democrat, and I have more name recognition than everybody in this race save for probably Mandela Barnes.»
DEM LAWMAKER SPARKS ONLINE OUTRAGE FOR BLAMING TRUMP’S LOW APPROVAL FOR WHCA DINNER SHOOTING
A split image of the Minocqua Brewing Company and its owner Kirk Bangstad. Photos taken on unknown dates. (Google Maps; Facebook/Minocqua Brewing Company)
If he was blocked from speaking at the June 13-14 Wisconsin Democratic convention at the Monona Terrace Convention Center in Madison, Bangstad vowed, «I’d speak anyway; I’d speak outside the front door.»
«And if they try to not let me speak, they’re going to put me in office,» Bangstad said. «Let’s be honest.
«If they restrict my speech as a fellow Democrat, they are going to do so much harm to their appearance, and they’re going to do so much harm to other candidates, I will win the primary if they don’t let me speak. I guarantee you that.»
Bangstad said he has not «gotten that far» on whether he will attend the Democratic convention in June.
MANDELA BARNES JUMPS INTO WISCONSIN GOVERNOR RACE — BUT BAGGAGE FROM HIS 2022 SENATE BID FOLLOWS
The Minocqua Brewing Company building is located in Wisconsin. The company has a history of promoting progressive politics. (Screenshot/Google Earth)
«I’ve got to get my 2,000 signatures by June 1 – obviously, I’m in the race really late; we’ve got a month to get 2,000 signatures,» he said.
«I will of course attend the Democratic convention, I’m a Democrat. I want to drag the Democratic Party kicking and screaming to a realistic place that’s not owned by big money, and that’s what I plan to do.
«And I think I can get there in Wisconsin.»
FORMER NAVY SEAL AND ‘POLITICAL OUTSIDER’ ANNOUNCES GOP CAMPAIGN FOR WISCONSIN GOVERNOR
The Wisconsin primary is Aug. 11, but getting the signatures and his name out there is a first priority, according to Bangstad, admitting the campaign as «raised a ton of money so far» while demurring on exactly how much.
«I’ve got oodles of money in Facebook followers, in Substack followers, the equivalent of that in my being able to reach people and give them my message,» he said.
Bangstad’s small brewery has long leaned into liberal politics, selling progressive-themed merchandise and promoting itself through anti-Trump messaging and shirts reading, «I wish it was free beer day.»
PATTERN OF LEFTIST VIOLENCE GROWS AS TRUMP NEARS 10 MONTHS IN OFFICE
The controversy escalated after the April 25 security scare at the WHCA Dinner in Washington, D.C., where authorities say Cole Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, attempted to storm a Secret Service checkpoint with a loaded shotgun and other weapons. Allen was ordered held without bail, facing life in prison for attempted assassination of the president and assaulting a federal officer with a dangerous weapon.
After the brewery’s post, the FBI and Secret Service confirmed they followed up on the matter and conducted a voluntary interview with Bangstad.
«The U.S. Secret Service follows up on perceived threats against the President of the United States or any one of our protectees,» the agencies said in a joint statement to Fox News. «The FBI and Secret Service together followed up on information received and conducted further investigative steps, which included a voluntary interview with the individual. This is an ongoing matter and we do not have further comment.»
Former Democratic Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes might be the only gubernatorial candidate with more ‘name recognition,’ according to Kirk Bangstad. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)
HASAN PIKER NO-SHOWS PRO-COMMUNIST EVENT OVER ALLEGED SAFETY FEARS WHILE MOCKING TRUMP ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT
Bangstad livestreamed part of the encounter with two suited men who questioned him about whether he knew anyone who wanted to harm Trump or supported anyone who wanted to harm the president. The brewery also posted what it said was a transcription of a voicemail from a person Bangstad identified as a Secret Service agent and urged supporters to call the number.
Bangstad, a former Democrat candidate for Wisconsin’s 34th Assembly District, lost his 2020 general election bid. He also founded the Minocqua Brewing Company super PAC, which has targeted Trump and Republicans, and previously sued to keep Trump off Wisconsin’s 2024 ballot.
The latest controversy also put pressure on other Wisconsin Democrats who have past ties to Bangstad.
Trump-backed House candidate Michael Alfonso accused Democrats of trying to avoid the issue, pointing to Bangstad’s connections to Democrats in the state.
POPULAR LEFT-WING PODCAST HOSTS PUSH CONSPIRACY THEORY THAT TRUMP STAGED ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT ON HIMSELF
«This brewery is owned by a man named Kirk Bangstad, and he’s not just some random crazy guy,» Alfonso wrote 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.»
Cooke’s campaign denounced political violence but did not mention Bangstad by name in its response to Fox News.
«This rhetoric is dangerous and unacceptable – showcasing just how broken our political system is,» Cooke said through her campaign manager. «I denounce all forms of political violence.
«We need to bring the temperature down, stop pitting working folks against each other, and come together to solve the very serious problems facing our communities.»
A Google maps image of the Minocqua Brewing Company in Minocqua, Wisconsin, taken on an unknown date. (Google Maps)
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The National Republican Congressional Committee said Cooke’s response was insufficient and called on her to directly name her former employer.
«Rebecca Cooke needs to stop hiding and immediately denounce her former employer, Kirk Bangstad’s dangerous and unhinged comments,» NRCC spokesman Zach Bannon told Fox News. «Cooke’s previous employment by Bangstad makes her silence even more unacceptable. Voters deserve to know whether she stands with Wisconsinites who reject this rhetoric or with the same extremist voices pushing it.»
Hong also responded in a series of X posts after Fox News Digital reached out, condemning the normalization of political violence but not naming Bangstad. When asked specifically about the brewery or owner, Hong campaign manager Becky Cooper pointed back to the posts.
«That would fall under the ‘becoming numb’ portion,» Cooper told Fox News, declining to denounce Bangstad by name. «MBC’s tweet is intentionally inflammatory and a symptom of the normalization of political violence.»
LIBERAL WISCONSIN BREWING COMPANY PROMISES ‘FREE BEER, ALL DAY LONG’ AFTER TRUMP DIES
Wisconsin Republicans and national GOP figures have seized on the episode as evidence of overheated rhetoric on the left.
«Wisconsin Democrats are so sick in the head that an attempted murder is funny to them,» RNC spokeswoman Delanie Bomar told Fox News. «All Wisconsin Democrats, including Rebecca Cooke, must immediately condemn this disgusting behavior.»
Bangstad has also drawn scrutiny outside his anti-Trump messaging. Wisconsin Public Radio reported last year that he had been charged in a harassment case tied to a dispute with a local newspaper publisher.
«We only give comments to legitimate news organizations, not state propaganda agencies,» Bangstad told Fox News Digital after a request for comment about the Secret Service and FBI visit. «However, maybe one of our customers might want to respond to your question.»
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Fox News reached out to Bangstad for further comment Sunday and has not yet heard back.
Fox News has also reached out to the campaigns for Hong, Cooke and Barnes, along with the Wisconsin Democratic Party and the Democratic National Committee.
Fox News’ Peter D’Abrosca contributed to this report.
midterm elections, democrats elections, mandela barnes, primary results, wisconsin, governors
INTERNACIONAL
El recorrido de un migrante salvadoreño que, tras sobrevivir a la guerra y huir en un maletero, logró ser nombrado obispo en Estados Unidos
El salvadoreño Evelio Menjívar, quien huyó de la guerra civil en su país en 1990 y llegó a Estados Unidos escondido en el maletero de un automóvil, ha sido designado obispo de la diócesis de Wheeling-Charleston, en una región de Virginia Occidental. Tres décadas después de cruzar la frontera guiado por un “coyote”, Menjívar ocupará el cargo eclesiástico, según informó EFE.
Durante la entrevista con EFE, Menjívar rememoró su travesía: en su primer intento, viajó a Tijuana, México, donde fue detenido y deportado tras ver la bandera estadounidense al otro lado de la frontera y posponer su sueño de residir en ese país. Tras dos intentos fallidos, logró cruzar finalmente —apretado junto a su hermano y dos primos dentro de un maletero— hasta California. El sacerdote describe su llegada a Los Ángeles como el salto de la vida rural a una “ciudad grandísima, multicultural, multiétnica”, un entorno completamente nuevo para él.
La historia de Menjívar contiene elementos diferenciadores frente a otros relatos sobre migración y religión en Estados Unidos. Será el primer obispo salvadoreño de la historia del país, y su designación ocurre en una región donde el 90 % de la población es estadounidense y caucásica, y donde Donald Trump obtuvo un respaldo arrollador en las elecciones de 2024, conforme a lo señalado por el propio obispo a EFE.
En una región con escasa diversidad, Menjívar afronta el reto de ejercer su labor pastoral en un entorno descrito como un “bastión republicano”. Preguntado por la lógica detrás de su nombramiento, rechaza que se trate de una provocación del pontífice al expresidente estadounidense, señalando que la decisión es coherente con los valores misioneros de León XIV, quien también tuvo experiencia como misionero en Perú. “No ha tenido miedo de tomar una decisión de enviarme ahí porque él mismo fue misionero en Perú. Allí, a pesar de que era un extranjero, la gente lo llegó a amar porque abrió su corazón”, resaltó Menjívar en sus declaraciones recogidas por EFE.
En el plano político, el nombramiento coincide con un movimiento diplomático: el mismo día de la entrevista, Marco Rubio, secretario de Estado, mantuvo una reunión en el Vaticano con el papa León XIV. Para Menjívar, este encuentro representó “una buenísima oportunidad para trabajar juntos” y expresó que “a ninguno beneficia que no haya diálogo o que se manden mensajes que en vez de unir dividen y sobre todo que dividen a la comunidad”.
El sacerdote, que obtuvo primero protección humanitaria, luego una visa de trabajador religioso y finalmente la ciudadanía estadounidense en 2006, señaló que espera ser recibido en Virginia Occidental como “un pastor de esos que huelen a oveja” y como alguien dispuesto a “remangarse para trabajar por la gente”. Según afirmó Menjívar a EFE.
El propio Menjívar explicó que, al llegar como indocumentado a Estados Unidos, le habría gustado oír de un obispo los verbos que el papa repite para hablar de migración: “dar la bienvenida, acoger, proteger, promover”. Su objetivo como nuevo obispo en Virginia Occidental es predicar esos principios y abrir caminos para que los inmigrantes sean tratados con dignidad, sin que el modo de su llegada defina su valor ante la sociedad.
Su vida, detalló el obispo, así como la de otras personas en busca de mejores oportunidades, “no puede ser definida únicamente por la manera en la que uno llega al país”. Para él, según enfatizó en la entrevista, “no importa si uno llegó escondido en un maletero, con un visado o en un avión. Eso es solo una parte de tu historia, no toda”.
IMÁGENES: LEONOR TRINIDAD.
DECLARACIONES DE EVELIO MENJÍVAR, OBISPO DE LA DIÓCESIS DE WHEELING-CHARLESTON.
Al describir los riesgos del desplazamiento forzado para quienes crecieron en contextos de violencia, como el suyo en El Salvador durante la guerra civil, Menjívar sostuvo ante EFE: “Uno hace un arreglo con alguien a quien se le llama coyote y no piensas en el riesgo, porque es un instinto de supervivencia. No piensas que vas a violar la ley de un país. Eso nunca se piensa.”
La designación de Evelio Menjívar como obispo pone en primer plano las tensiones migratorias y políticas de la actualidad estadounidense, al tiempo que, en palabras del propio religioso, abre la posibilidad de que la Iglesia ofrezca acompañamiento y acogida “más allá del estigma con el que cargan muchos inmigrantes”.
corresponsal:Desde San Salvador, El Salvador
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The U.S. economy is under threat from adversaries like China targeting undersea cables with the ability to «inflict devastating economic chaos almost at will,» a former U.S. intelligence official warned Sunday.
These cables carry 99% of global data and support up to $10 trillion in daily financial transactions, according to reports.
Andrew Badger, chief strategy officer at Coalition Systems, a defense tech startup, spoke as President Donald Trump is set to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing for talks expected to focus on trade, artificial intelligence and Taiwan.
Taiwan, a flashpoint in U.S.-China tensions, has reported about 30 subsea cable incidents in recent years, including one in which Chinese vessels allegedly severed cables and cut communications for months.
INTERNATIONAL UNDERWATER CABLE ATTACKS BY RUSSIA, CHINA ARE NO ‘MERE COINCIDENCE’ WARNS EU’S TOP DIPLOMAT
Two Taiwan Coast Guard personnel board a Togo-flagged cargo ship to inspect it for suspected damage to a submarine cable connecting Taiwan Island and Penghu Island in waters off Penghu, Taiwan, on Feb. 25, 2025. (Taiwan Coast Guard/Anadolu)
«America depends on the fragile nervous system of subsea cables for modern life,» Badger, a former Pentagon official and author, told Fox News Digital before warning that U.S. adversaries «seek to turn the bottom of the ocean into a battlefield.»
«The asymmetric threat — China and Russia are devoting far more resources to attacking undersea infrastructure than the U.S. or its allies are to defending it,» Badger said.
«They’ve identified one of our greatest vulnerabilities, and we haven’t caught up. A coordinated strike on American undersea infrastructure could fundamentally disrupt our way of life — the internet, banking, energy markets and military communications all run through these cables. The dollar cost is almost incalculable, and the real damage would be the chaos and political instability that would follow,» he said.
Badger’s remarks came after Senate Republican Whip John Barrasso, R-Wyo., alongside Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., introduced the bipartisan Strategic Subsea Cables Act of 2026 in April.
The legislation is aimed at strengthening the security and resilience of critical undersea infrastructure.
TAIWAN COAST GUARD DETAINS CHINESE-CREWED VESSEL SUSPECTED OF CUTTING UNDERSEA CABLE
The Chinese bulk carrier Yi Peng 3 is anchored in the sea of Kattegat near Granaa, Denmark, on Nov. 20, 2024. Denmark’s navy said it was shadowing the vessel in the Baltic Sea amid investigations into suspected sabotage of undersea telecom cables by Finland and Sweden. (Mikkel Berg Pedersen/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP)
«Undersea cables are important for a variety of reasons. They carry 99% of the world’s internet traffic. They also support $10 trillion in financial transactions each and every day,» Barrasso said in a statement.
In April, China’s Ministry of Natural Resources confirmed a successful deep-sea mission testing an advanced «electro-hydrostatic actuator,» a device capable of slicing through armored submarine cables at depths of 3,500 meters, according to reports.
Similar suspicious disruptions have been reported in Europe and elsewhere, raising concerns about coordinated «gray-zone» operations designed to probe Western responses while remaining below the threshold of open conflict.
«This is hybrid warfare in its purest form, designed to weaken the adversary below the threshold of declared war,» Badger said, noting that incidents such as anchors dragging across the seabed can provide plausible deniability.
HORMUZ CHAOS SPARKS WARNING: CHINA COULD STRANGLE TAIWAN WITHOUT FIRING A SHOT
A split image shows Chinese President Xi Jinping, left, and President Donald Trump, right. (Vincent Thian/POOL/AFP via Getty Images; Salwan Georges/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
«Cables give Beijing and Moscow the ability to inflict devastating economic chaos almost at will,» Badger warned. «This gives both nations tremendous strategic leverage over the U.S.»
China could also potentially target American undersea cables as a deterrent to U.S. engagement in Taiwan, according to Badger.
«Beijing could simultaneously target cables landing in the U.S., not to win militarily, but with the goal of breaking the American public’s will to intervene in Taiwan,» he said.
China claims Taiwan as its own territory, while the U.S. — Taiwan’s largest unofficial ally — supplies weapons under a law requiring it to help the island defend itself.
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The Taiwan Strait is also a critical artery for the artificial intelligence revolution’s most essential resources.
Anniki Mikelsaar of the Oxford Internet Institute said growth in AI’s use means «rising capacity requirements on submarine cables. Not all recent cable damage incidents can be attributed to foreign adversaries: the ICPC estimates 150 to 200 cable breaks occur per year around the globe, most of them accidents,» she said.
taiwan, pentagon, economy, us, trade
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