Fact Check: Did Mike Lindell commit voter bribery with free MyPillow giveaways?
WASHINGTON, DC: Minnesota Republican gubernatorial candidate and MyPillow founder Mike Lindell is facing a campaign finance complaint over his distribution of free mini-pillows to spectators.
This comes after an administrative law judge found probable cause to believe Lindell violated state campaign finance laws. The ruling sparked online claims that he committed voter bribery. Let's fact check the claim.
Claim: Mike Lindell committed voter bribery with free pillows
An X user claimed that Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Lindell was accused of trying to bribe voters by giving away free pillows.
The post called the allegation a serious campaign finance violation and suggested it could lead to Lindell's disqualification.
🚨 BREAKING: Republican Governor candidate Mike Lindell has been accused of attempting to bribe voters with free pillows.
— GOP Ls (@GOP__Ls) August 9, 2026
This is a serious violation of campaign finance laws, and could result in his disqualification. pic.twitter.com/9Fg1o0arY9
The claim sparked debate online. One user dismissed it as “fake news,” while another accused Democrats of making false claims against Lindell. "Classic Democrat move. Use the Strawman Tactic to create lies about an opponent THAT IS KICKING YOUR A**."
The complaint was filed by Dan Fiskum, a Democratic candidate for the Minnesota State Senate.
He alleged that Lindell's campaign violated Minnesota's Fair Campaign Practices Act during a parade in Delano, Minnesota. The law prohibits candidates from offering items of monetary value to influence voters.
On August 6, 2026, Administrative Law Judge Nicholas Lienesch found probable cause to believe that the pillows had monetary value and that Lindell's campaign distributed them “to induce a voter to vote in a particular way.”
Fact Check: The claim that Mike Lindell committed voter bribery is false
The claim is false. Although an administrative law judge found enough evidence for the case to move forward, the ruling did not find Mike Lindell legally guilty of voter bribery. The case will now go before a three-judge administrative panel for a full hearing.
A key issue in the case is Minnesota's so-called “Twinkie Law,” which allows candidates to give voters refreshments or other items worth up to $5.
The complaint argues that the MyPillow products Lindell's campaign gave away had a retail value of $34.95, which is above the $5 limit.
Lindell's defense says his campaign bought the promotional “Go Anywhere” mini pillows from MyPillow for between $4.50 and $4.95 each.
He argues that the pillows are similar to low-cost campaign items such as hats, keychains and buttons.
What Mike Lindell said about the campaign finance complaint
Lindell is currently a leading candidate for the Republican nomination in Minnesota's primary. Donald Trump has endorsed him. Lindell has called the complaint a “nonsensical distraction” and “petty politics.”
He also said he consulted state campaign finance officials before the giveaway and believed his campaign had followed the rules.
