The owner of a Wisconsin brewery that once pledged “free beer” the day Donald Trump dies is under fire again after a social media post celebrated a failed attack at a White House event, reigniting concerns about political rhetoric and the boundaries of acceptable expression. This article lays out what happened, who’s involved, the political ties, the reactions from GOP figures, and why Republican leaders are demanding clear condemnations.
A Minocqua, Wisconsin brewery with a history of anti-Trump marketing posted online, “Well, we almost got #freebeerday.” That message appeared in the wake of shots fired outside a White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, and it read as a cheer for violence that many find beyond the pale. Conservatives see this as another example of normalized hostility from some on the left that treats threats to a former president like fodder for branding and merch.
The brewery is owned by Kirk Bangstad, a known Democratic activist who has used the company as a political vehicle in the past. His operation sells politically charged merchandise and has openly mixed progressive politics with its brand identity, which has long made him a target of Republican criticism. For GOP voters, it’s not just a bad joke, it’s an escalation that demands accountability from the Democrats connected to him.
The social media post did more than mock; it tied directly back to a pledge the brewery made earlier: “Regardless, we stand at the ready to pour free beer the day it happens.” Those exact words have been cited by opponents as evidence of a toxic political culture that tolerates celebrating the harm of political opponents. From a Republican perspective, that crosses a line from rhetoric into the realm of encouragement.
Local and national Republican figures quickly called for public denouncements from Democrats tied to Bangstad, pointing out relationships and past employment links. GOP operatives highlighted that influential state Democrats have social or professional ties to the brewery and argued those leaders must make their position clear. The demand is simple: condemn the rhetoric and disassociate from anyone who appears to cheer violence.
One of the more pointed GOP comments stated, “Wisconsin Democrats are so sick in the head that an attempted murder is funny to them.” That line captures the anger on the right and the belief that people without influence are left to suffer the consequences of a permissive elite. Republicans see a duty to call out behavior that could inflame already volatile political tensions.
In response to the uproar, some Democrats tied to the brewer issued statements condemning violence while avoiding direct mention of Bangstad by name. “This rhetoric is dangerous and unacceptable – showcasing just how broken our political system is,” one campaign representative wrote. But GOP leaders countered that vague condemnations are not enough and insisted that those connected must explicitly denounce Bangstad and his comments.
The national Republican Congressional Committee demanded pointed action: they urged that public figures who previously worked for or were linked to Bangstad call him out directly. Their argument is that silence or half-measures enable a culture where inflammatory remarks are shrugged off as marketing. Republicans say voters deserve clarity on whether candidates stand with mainstream voters or with extremist rhetoric.
Bangstad’s political footprint goes beyond the brewery, and Republicans have cataloged his past electoral involvement and activism to argue this behavior is deliberate, not accidental. That background—running for office, supporting Democratic causes, and filing legal actions related to ballots—makes the GOP case that the rhetoric is tied to broader political strategies. Conservatives urge transparency from those who benefit from his network.
Beyond the immediate political theater, there’s concern about the chilling effect on civil discourse and safety. Celebrating the near-success of an attack, even in jest, lowers the bar for what is acceptable public speech and risks normalizing violence as a political tool. Republican leaders are focused on re-establishing clear norms: political disagreement, yes; cheering harm, never.
Calls for clear condemnation continue from Republican officials and activists who want accountability from Democrats associated with the owner. They argue that naming and denouncing bad actors is necessary to restore basic decency to political life and to protect public figures and ordinary citizens alike. The message from the right is straightforward: rhetoric has consequences, and elected leaders must draw a firm line.
Hong also in multiple X posts after being reached by Fox News on Sunday, but also did not mention Bangstad by name.
https://x.com/FrancescaHongWI/status/2048451627586101563?s=20
