Trump and the Republican Party Backed Competing Candidates in Minnesota’s Governor Primary. Both Fell Short

Trump has never won Minnesota in any of his three presidential runs, but Lindell, who appeared to open a lead in the polls in recent weeks, touted the President’s endorsement days before the election.

“I have an advantage over everyone up here,” Lindell said at an event on Sunday. “I can call up and work with the President of the United States.”

The former CEO, like Trump, has vocally denied the results of the 2020 presidential election, which Trump lost to Joe Biden. Lindell has faced defamation suits over comments he made related voting machines, some of which are ongoing. Last June, he was ordered to pay $2.3 million to a Dominion Voting Systems executive after a jury found that he spread false and damaging claims related to the 2020 election.

Prior to that election, Lindell had also become known for his MyPillow advertisements and his self-published memoir What Are the Odds? From Crack Addict to CEO, in which he chronicled his experience overcoming substance abuse and gambling. He stepped down as CEO of the pillow company earlier this month to focus on his campaign.