Mike Lindell faces backlash after his Minnesota gubernatorial campaign funneled 68% of donor funds—$187,000—straight back to his own MyPillow company for copies of his autobiography, raising red flags on self-dealing in a critical GOP primary.
Story Snapshot
- Lindell’s campaign raised $352,000-$356,000 from 250+ mostly retiree donors but spent $187,000 (68%) on 25,000-30,000 copies of his book “What Are the Odds? From Crack Addict to CEO” bought from MyPillow.
- Minnesota Campaign Finance Board deems the purchases legal if reported, citing 1998 precedents, but no GOP rivals match this scale of self-purchases.
- Books distributed to voters instead of traditional flyers or mailers, while rivals like Lisa Demuth and Kendall Qualls focus on standard campaign materials.
- Smartmatic attorneys cite the spending to challenge Lindell’s court claims of poverty and $10 million debt from election lawsuits.
- Lindell places third in recent GOP caucus straw poll at 17%, behind Demuth (32%) and Qualls (26%), as August 11 primary looms.
Lindell’s Unusual Campaign Spending
Mike Lindell announced his Minnesota gubernatorial candidacy on December 11, 2025. His campaign quickly raised $352,000-$356,000 from over 250 donors, primarily retirees nationwide drawn to his Trump-aligned stance. Year-end finance reports filed in St. Paul revealed the largest expense: $187,000 for 25,000-30,000 copies of his self-published autobiography from MyPillow at about $7 each. This amounted to 68% of total spending, dwarfing typical costs for ads or mailers used by competitors. Lindell defended the choice in a February 3, 2026, interview, calling books a superior alternative to “little flyers.”
Legal but Ethically Questioned Self-Deal
The Minnesota Campaign Finance Board, led by Executive Director Jeff Sigurdson, confirmed the book purchases are permissible under 1998 rulings allowing campaigns to buy candidate books if properly disclosed. No investigation is underway, as prior similar complaints were dismissed. However, Lindell’s majority ownership in the “employee-owned” MyPillow creates a direct financial loop, funneling donor money back to his company amid his personal financial strains from defamation suits by Smartmatic and Dominion. Critics highlight this as unprecedented scale compared to rivals’ efficient spends, like Kendall Qualls’ $77,000 on mailers. Supporters view it as innovative outreach promoting Lindell’s story of redemption.
Financial Backdrop and Court Scrutiny
Lindell built MyPillow into an empire but claims $10 million in debt after years promoting 2020 election fraud allegations, leading to lawsuits including a $2.3 million Smartmatic judgment pending appeal. He stated inability to self-fund his campaign. On February 2, 2026, Smartmatic attorneys referenced the $187,000 book payment in court filings to counter his poverty claims, seeking contempt sanctions for unpaid fees. A judge had warned Lindell on proof requirements. In January 2026, he distributed signed books at a GOP forum in Prior Lake, emphasizing personal connection with voters over generic materials.
The spending contrasts sharply with GOP rivals in the crowded 2026 Minnesota primary. Lisa Demuth leads straw polls at 32%, Kendall Qualls at 25-26%, while Lindell trails at 17-17.5% in early February caucuses. Donors supporting his election integrity advocacy may question funds prioritizing his book over policy-focused ads. This highlights tensions in campaign finance: legal transparency versus perceptions of self-enrichment, especially for a Trump loyalist navigating legal woes.
Implications for Minnesota GOP Race
Short-term, the revelation risks donor backlash and amplifies mockery from satirists like David Tinjum, who dubbed it a “grifter con on himself.” Long-term, it could prompt Minnesota Board review of self-deals, though legal. Politically, it undermines Lindell’s credibility against rivals’ targeted spending, reinforcing his conspiracy-linked image despite Trump praise. Minnesota GOP voters receive autobiographies over detailed platforms, potentially hurting viability ahead of the August 11 primary. MyPillow gains revenue, but Lindell’s campaign presses on post-caucus.
Sources:
Mike Lindell’s biggest gubernatorial campaign expense? Copies of his memoir (Star Tribune)
Lindell Governor Campaign Update (103.7 The Loon)
