It’s getting harder to ignore how reckless some political rhetoric on the left has become, especially when it starts brushing up against real-world violence.
A brewery owner in Wisconsin is now under the radar of federal authorities after posting comments online that many people see as way beyond the line. Kirk Bangstad, who runs the Minocqua Brewing Company and openly brands himself as “progressive,” stirred outrage after suggesting that the next person who tries to assassinate President Donald Trump should work on their “marksmanship.” Not exactly subtle.
This came right after a very serious incident at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, where a gunman allegedly attempted to target Trump and members of his administration. The suspect, identified as 31-year-old Cole Thomas Allen from California, is now facing multiple federal charges, including attempted assassination. Authorities say he even wrote a manifesto spelling out his hatred for Trump and those around him.
In that context, Bangstad’s comments didn’t land as edgy humor they landed as dangerous.
According to statements given to The Federalist, both the Secret Service and the FBI are aware of the brewery’s social media activity. The Secret Service kept things tight-lipped, as expected, citing security concerns. The FBI, meanwhile, made it clear that while people are free to speak their minds, threats or anything resembling encouragement of violence will be taken seriously and investigated.
#MinocquaBeer tastes like moose piss @WallStreetApes https://t.co/yMImJSwdtY
That distinction matters. There’s a big difference between political disagreement and language that starts sounding like a green light for violence.
What makes this even more troubling is that this wasn’t a one-off comment. Bangstad has apparently been pushing a “free beer day” promotion tied to Trump’s death for some time now. That kind of messaging, especially in today’s climate, doesn’t just come across as tasteless it raises legitimate questions about intent.
Republican Congressman Derrick Van Orden didn’t mince words, suggesting that this kind of rhetoric could even be interpreted as offering a kind of “bounty.” Whether or not that holds up legally is for investigators to decide, but it shows how seriously some are taking it.
And then there’s the broader pattern. The brewery itself leans heavily into political branding, naming beers after left-wing figures and selling merchandise that openly mocks Trump and his supporters. That’s their right, of course but when the messaging crosses into celebrating or encouraging harm, it stops being just political expression.
To his critics, Bangstad doesn’t seem remorseful at all. If anything, he appears to thrive on the backlash, using it to generate attention and, by his own admission, boost sales. That might work as a marketing strategy, but it’s a risky game when the subject matter involves real violence and real lives.
At the end of the day, people can debate politics all they want that’s part of living in a free country. But there’s a line between heated rhetoric and something that starts to normalize or encourage violence. And once that line gets crossed, it’s no longer just about opinions it becomes a matter for law enforcement.
Now the question is whether officials believe that line was crossed here.
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