Brewery’s “Free Beer Day” Draws FBI Scrutiny

FBI website shown through magnifying glass.

A Wisconsin brewery’s “free beer day” promotion tied to President Trump’s death is now drawing FBI attention after a post appearing to react to a recent assassination attempt.

Story Snapshot

Minocqua Brewing Company posted “we almost got #freebeerday” after gunfire erupted at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on April 25, 2026, in what outlets described as an assassination attempt on President Trump.
The FBI confirmed it is aware of the brewery’s post, but reports say it has not confirmed an open investigation.
The brewery’s Facebook page was taken down after the controversy spread.
Wisconsin Republicans and the Republican National Committee publicly called for accountability over the post and the broader “free beer day” messaging.

What happened and why it escalated beyond “dark humor”

Minocqua Brewing Company, a Wisconsin brewery owned by Kirk Bangstad, drew national scrutiny after a Facebook post circulated in the wake of gunfire at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on April 25, 2026. Multiple outlets reported the incident as an assassination attempt on President Donald Trump. The brewery’s post referenced “#freebeerday,” a long-running gimmick tied to Trump’s death, turning a national security incident into a marketing punchline.

Reports say the post went further than a single hashtag. Outlets quoted language suggesting someone “needs to work on their marksmanship” or implying the event could have been staged for publicity, followed by a pledge to pour free beer “the day it happens.” That combination—commentary on violence plus a standing “reward” theme—helped push the story from offensive speech into a debate over whether the messaging encourages political violence, even if framed as satire.

FBI awareness, platform removals, and the accountability question

Fox 11 reported that the FBI confirmed it was aware of the Minocqua Brewing Company post tied to the assassination-attempt news cycle, while not confirming an open investigation. That distinction matters: awareness can mean anything from routine monitoring of threats to preliminary review of public reporting. Still, the involvement of federal law enforcement underscores how quickly online political rhetoric can intersect with real-world security concerns, especially after a high-profile attack.

The brewery’s Facebook page was taken down after the backlash, according to reporting. It remains unclear from the available information whether the page was removed by the company, restricted by the platform, or disabled following reports. In practical terms, the takedown shows the power social platforms have to determine what stays visible during fast-moving controversies, and it raises a familiar concern for many Americans: rules about “dangerous” content often appear inconsistently enforced across political lines.

A “promotion” that predates the shooting and keeps resurfacing

The “free beer day” claim was not new. Fox News and other outlets described it as a long-running promotion promising free beer “the day he dies,” along with merchandise that leans into the same message. Reporting also cited comments attributed to Bangstad welcoming celebrations of Trump’s “impending death,” alongside a “no red hats allowed” line. That context matters because it suggests the post was not an isolated lapse, but part of a sustained political brand.

This is where the controversy lands in a broader American fault line: how far political speech can go before it becomes reckless. The First Amendment protects a wide range of expression, including speech many people consider disgusting. At the same time, the country has learned—repeatedly—that constant dehumanization of political opponents lowers the social cost of threats and harassment. Even when a statement is framed as “just a joke,” tying commerce to a president’s death invites scrutiny.

Political reaction and the deeper public frustration it taps

Wisconsin Republicans and the Republican National Committee called attention to the brewery and its owner, demanding accountability for the post and the broader messaging. For conservative voters, the anger is not only about Trump as an individual; it’s about what looks like a cultural double standard, where inflammatory rhetoric aimed at the right is excused as comedy or activism. For many on the left, the free-speech defense can feel straightforward, even if they dislike the tone.

Brewery promises ‘free beer day’ if President Trump is assassinated | Bianca Across the Nation – YouTube https://t.co/TDTUGVsmv0

— DMac (@ErinShaleah) April 29, 2026

The bigger takeaway is less partisan than it seems. Americans across the spectrum have watched political discourse degrade into profiteering and provocation, with institutions reacting selectively depending on who is targeted. In that environment, trust erodes—first in media narratives, then in platforms, and finally in government itself. The Minocqua Brewing Company episode is a small story with a large echo: a reminder that, after violence, leaders and citizens alike face a choice between ratcheting down tensions or monetizing them.