Investigation into Wisconsin Brewery Owner Following Threat Against President
Following an arrest linked to an assassination attempt on the 47th President, the FBI and Secret Service are looking into a Wisconsin brewery owner who launched a free beer promotion in light of President Donald Trump’s death.
In a joint statement, the agencies emphasized, “The U.S. Secret Intelligence Service pursues perceived threats to the President of the United States or protected persons of the United States. The FBI and Secret Service jointly followed up on the information received and conducted further investigative actions, including voluntary interviews with the individual. This is an ongoing matter and we will not be commenting further.”
Kirk Bangstad is the owner of Minocqua Brewing Company, which has a progressive theme, based in Minocqua, Wisconsin.
After news broke of a shooting that occurred at around 9:15 p.m. on April 25, at the Washington Hilton Hotel—where Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance, and Cabinet members were attending a gala—the brewery advertised on its Facebook page that it would offer free beer to commemorate Trump’s death.
In a post, Bangstad commented, “Well, I almost got it. #freebeerday. Either a brother or sister in the Resistance needs to sharpen their marksmanship, or they fabricated another assassination to get a positive news cycle. We’ll never know. Either way, we’re ready to pour free beer that day.”
The post encouraged followers to buy T-shirts that read, “I wish it was a free beer day at Minocqua Brewing Company.” It concluded with, “Our celebration of life will be legendary!”
Later, during a livestream, Bangstad was questioned by two men in suits regarding whether he knew or supported anyone who might harm Trump. The brewery also shared a transcript of a voicemail Bangstad received from an individual he identified as a Secret Service agent, including the agent’s phone number.
“Please call this number and ask this agent to stand down and honor his oath to his country,” the post urged.
Bangstad responded to a request for comment by saying, “We only provide comments to legitimate news outlets, not state propaganda agencies, but maybe one of our customers would like to answer your question.”
In a related incident, Cole Allen, a 31-year-old from Torrance, California, is accused of attempting to assassinate President Trump. He allegedly tried to get through a Secret Service checkpoint at a banquet where a dinner was being held, armed with a shotgun, among other weapons. Reports indicate he was arrested before entering the hall.
Allen is facing multiple charges, including the attempted assassination of the President, discharging a firearm during a violent crime, and transporting a firearm across state lines.
U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro noted that the suspect would likely face “many additional charges.” He was arraigned in federal court and ordered to be held without bail following a detention hearing.
