Minnesota, Get Ready For The Ultimate Pillow Fight
Source: Silicon Bay Partners’ staff with assistance from ChatGPT
Photo: ChatGPT
Mike Lindell wants to be governor. Apparently, running a pillow company was just the warm-up.
Minnesota voters have been given many choices over the years: politicians, lawyers, businesspeople, career bureaucrats and the occasional candidate who makes you wonder if the filing deadline should come with a sobriety test.
Now they have Mike Lindell—the MyPillow Guy.
Lindell, the outspoken Trump ally and longtime promoter of debunked claims that the 2020 election was stolen, is running for the Republican nomination for governor of Minnesota. And because apparently Minnesota decided it needed a little more fluff in its politics, President Donald Trump has endorsed him, calling him one of America’s great patriots.
Lindell isn’t merely running for governor. He’s apparently attempting to prove that if you can sell enough pillows on late-night television, anything is possible in American politics.
There is something wonderfully American about Lindell’s journey.
He went from addiction and personal struggles to building MyPillow into a nationally recognized business. Then he became one of Trump’s most devoted political allies, throwing himself into election conspiracies and becoming a fixture of the post-2020 political circus.
Now he’s trying to make the leap from infomercial celebrity to chief executive of an entire state.
That’s quite a career trajectory.
Pillow salesman → political activist → election conspiracy evangelist → gubernatorial candidate.
Honestly, the only missing step is a reality show: “The Real Governors of Minnesota: Pillow Fight Edition.”
Trump’s Seal of Approval
Lindell’s campaign received a significant boost when Trump endorsed him in July. Trump praised Lindell as a hardworking patriot and said he would be “SPECTACULAR” for Minnesota.
Because nothing says Minnesota Nice quite like having Donald Trump pick your gubernatorial candidate.
Trump’s endorsement is especially notable because Lindell’s political fame is largely tied to his promotion of false claims about the 2020 election. Lindell has faced defamation litigation over those claims, including a $2.3 million jury award in a case involving a former Dominion Voting Systems executive.
So if you’re keeping score, we’re apparently electing governors based partly on their ability to maintain a firm grip on a pillow and an alternate version of reality.
But There Is One Little Problem
Before Lindell can redecorate the governor’s mansion with king-size pillows, there is the small matter of Minnesota voters. And then there was another small matter that became a rather large matter:
Lindell was reported to still be registered to vote in Texas while running for governor of Minnesota.
Lindell said he had moved back to Minnesota and intended to vote there, while the issue became a subject of criticism during the campaign.
Nothing quite says “I’m ready to lead Minnesota” like Minnesota responding: “Great. Have you registered to vote here?”
It’s a little like applying to be captain of a ship while discovering your driver’s license is still from another state.
The Platform: Firm, Fluffy and Apparently 17 Years Long
Lindell has campaigned on issues including education, welfare reform, immigration, election security and law enforcement. He has also floated a 17-year plan for welfare reform, because apparently four years in the governor’s mansion isn’t enough time to get everything done.
A 17-year plan is certainly ambitious.
Most governors are thrilled if they can get their budget through the legislature. Lindell apparently wants to leave Minnesota with a five-year warranty and a lifetime guarantee.
Perhaps the campaign slogan should be: “Mike Lindell: Minnesota’s Future Is Looking Fluffy.”
And Now He’s Leaving the Pillow Business
In perhaps the most amusing development of all, Lindell recently stepped down as CEO of MyPillow to devote himself full-time to the gubernatorial campaign.
That means Minnesota can now have his undivided attention. Which should comfort everyone. Or perhaps frighten them.
Either way, the man who spent years telling Americans to put their heads on his products is now asking Minnesota to put its future in his hands.
That’s a pretty big pillow to fill.
The Great Minnesota Pillow Fight
There is, however, one thing you have to admire about Lindell. He certainly doesn’t suffer from a shortage of confidence. Running a business wasn’t enough. Being a political activist wasn’t enough. Becoming one of Trump’s most recognizable allies wasn’t enough.
Now he wants to run an entire state. And if he wins, Minnesota will have a governor whose name is already associated with one of the most recognizable products in America. Imagine the inauguration:
“Do you swear to uphold the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of Minnesota?”
“I do.”
“And will you faithfully execute the office of governor?”
“I do.”
“And would you like a MyPillow?”
“Absolutely.”
At which point the Minnesota Legislature may finally understand what it has gotten itself into. Because politics has always been a contact sport.
But under Governor Mike Lindell? It could become a pillow fight. And Minnesota voters may soon have to decide whether they want a governor who can keep the state comfortable—or one who can actually keep it running.
Either way, one thing is certain: The campaign is going to be anything but a snooze.