Brewing company laments 'we almost got free beer day' for Trump assassination... months after promising free booze when president dies

By EMMA RICHTER, US SENIOR NEWS REPORTER Published: 21:10, 27 April 2026 | Updated: 21:29, 27 April 2026 A Wisconsin brewing company that promised patrons free beer if President Donald Trump should die has expressed disappointment after he was not fatally shot at the White House Correspondents' Dinner.  The Minocqua Brewing Company caused a stir yet again after taking to Facebook on Saturday evening, less than an hour after gunfire broke out at the Washington Hilton, stating: '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. We’ll never know.' 'Regardless, we stand at the ready to pour free beer the day it happens,' the brewery wrote. The business, known for its disdain for Trump and the Republican Party, was in the hot seat in January after appearing to offer free booze to customers if the commander-in-chief died.  'Show us this post when it happens in a few months and we’ll make good on that promise,' the company, which is owned by Kirk Bangstad, wrote at the time.  Although the company did not directly name the subject of that comment, many went on to speculate that the openly anti-Trump establishment was referring to the 79-year-old president.  The brewery's most recent post quickly raked in 7,400 comments and hundreds of shares, with people hitting back at the company for its 'unacceptable viewpoint.'  The Minocqua Brewing Company posted on Saturday evening that they 'almost got #freebeerday', referring to the attempted assassination of Donald Trump Trump is seen at the White House Correspondents Dinner at the Washington Hilton on Saturday, just before gunfire broke out 'You can hate a guy, but this is ridiculous and [an] unacceptable viewpoint,' a commenter wrote.  'Disgusting. This has to stop. God bless America and God bless the President,' another person shared.  Someone else said they visited the brewery several times before, but will no longer be coming back because of its comments.  'We'll no longer spend money at your place. You've gone too far and [have] become part of the problem,' they said.  Another chimed in: 'Kind of pathetic, your life revolves around someone dying.'  Several users went on to tag the FBI, telling the agency to 'investigate' the company.  Meanwhile, a slew of people supported the brewery's stance.  'These peeps need to start practicing!!!!,' one said, referring to the suspect who did not shoot Trump that night. Kirk Bangstad, the owner of the Minocqua Brewing Company, hit back at people who blasted his business for their comments on the president The company also sells Trump voodoo dolls, including some wearing a striped fabric that is supposed to be reminiscent of a prison uniform Others stood by the company's claim that the shooting itself was allegedly staged.  'We all know this crap is staged. Like the ear. His base eats it up,' one commented.  'Definitely staged again,' wrote someone else.  Another commented: 'Probably another fake attempt.' The brewery also went on to post emails they got from news organizations seeking comment on their recent post.  In a public response to Fox News, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, and Newsweek, Bangstad shrugged off the post and invited the reporters to join in the 'free beer' promotion.  'It's wonderful that Fox News, the entity that's most responsible for political violence in this country, is offering to help promote our upcoming 'free beer day,' in which we promise to hand out 'free beer, all day, when he dies,' Bandstad wrote to the outlet.   'Every time you write a story about us, our beer sales go through the roof,' he added.  In a January 26 post, Minocqua Brewing Company said their harsh anti-Trump stance has 'made it harder to sell beer.' The latest post comes just three months after the brewery appeared to offer free booze to customers if the commander-in-chief dies 'We've been boycotted by distributors in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Illinois - so we rely on a ragtag crew of supporters to help us self-distribute in those three states,' the company said. However, in a post shared by the company the following day, the company said their sales have spiked since news outlets started covering the story. The company also sells Trump voodoo dolls, including some wearing a striped fabric that is supposed to be reminiscent of a prison uniform. It also sells an 'eff ICE' hoodie. The profits go toward the funding of their podcast and Substack. Bangstad's 'Up North Podcast' shares weekly political commentary, which almost always bashes the Trump administration.  Its most recent episode, shared to Facebook on April 22, saw Bangstad and two guests talking about 'war profiteering going on in the Iran war,' and discussing what happens when 'Trump doesn't allow FEMA to help when we have emergencies.'  He also spoke about 'never getting enough people in the Democratic party to pass big things.'  When contacted by the Daily Mail for comment on the brewery's comments, White House spokesperson Alison Schuster said Bangstad should be 'mortified of his words.'  'Vile political rhetoric like this is extremely dangerous and life-threatening,' Shuster said.  'It’s unhinged commentary like Minocqua Brewing Company's that inspires political violence, and he should be especially mortified of his words given this weekend’s egregious attempt against the President and others in his administration.'  The Daily Mail contacted the Minocqua Brewing Company and Bangstad for comment.   The comments below have not been moderated. 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