Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Mike Lindell

A closer look at the most debated and controversial moments involving Mike Lindell.

Michael James Lindell, known as the "My Pillow Guy," is an American businessman, political activist, and conspiracy theorist. He is the founder and CEO of My Pillow, a company that manufactures pillows, bedding, and slippers. Lindell is a prominent supporter of Donald Trump and has actively promoted conspiracy theories related to the 2020 United States presidential election. His continued promotion of these unproven claims has led to significant controversy and legal challenges for himself and his company. He has also been involved in efforts to overturn election results.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

September 2020: Twitter implemented civic integrity policy

On January 25, 2021, Twitter permanently banned Lindell for perpetuating the unsubstantiated claim that Trump won the 2020 election. A Twitter spokesperson explained that Lindell violated the company's civic integrity policy implemented in September 2020 to fight disinformation.

November 2020: Contributed toward paying bail of Kyle Rittenhouse

In November 2020, Lindell was among those who contributed toward paying the bail of the Kenosha shooter Kyle Rittenhouse.

December 14, 2020: Spoke at bus tour stop

On December 14, 2020, Lindell spoke at the final stop of a bus tour that sought to challenge the election results in Washington, D.C.

December 2020: Dominion Sends Cease-and-Desist Letter

In December 2020, Dominion sent Mike Lindell a cease-and-desist letter, asking him to retract false claims about the company.

2020: Supported efforts to overturn election results

In 2020, After Trump's defeat in the 2020 presidential election, Lindell played a significant role in supporting and financing Trump's attempts to overturn the election result.

2020: Promoted Oleandrin as COVID-19 Treatment

In 2020, Lindell promoted the use of oleandrin, a cardiotoxic substance produced by oleanders, as a treatment for COVID-19, including arranging a meeting with President Trump.

2020: Supported Trump's attempts to overturn election results

In 2020, after Donald Trump's defeat in the U.S. presidential election, Lindell played a significant role in supporting and financing Trump's attempts to overturn the election result. He also spread disproven conspiracy theories about widespread electoral fraud during that election.

2020: Major retailers stopped carrying My Pillow products

In 2020, some major retailers stopped carrying My Pillow products. Lindell suggested this was a result of his claims relating to the 2020 United States presidential election results.

January 15, 2021: Carried document into White House

On January 15, 2021, Lindell carried a document into the West Wing of the White House that appeared to refer to martial law and the Insurrection Act.

January 2021: Dominion Demands Retraction

In January 2021, Dominion again asked Lindell to retract his false claims, which he refused.

January 2021: Daily Mail Publishes Krakowski Story

In January 2021, the Daily Mail published a story alleging that Lindell had a nine-month relationship with actress Jane Krakowski between late 2019 and the summer of 2020, which both denied.

January 25, 2021: Permanently banned from Twitter

On January 25, 2021, Twitter permanently banned Lindell for perpetuating the unsubstantiated claim that Trump won the 2020 election.

February 2, 2021: Interview on Newsmax

On February 2, 2021, Lindell appeared on Newsmax to discuss cancel culture but repeated false claims about rigged voting machines, leading the anchor to walk off set.

February 5, 2021: Broadcast of Absolute Proof

On February 5, 2021, Mike Lindell purchased airtime on One America News Network to broadcast "Absolute Proof," a documentary containing false claims about the 2020 election. YouTube removed the documentary on the same day.

February 2021: Dominion warned Lindell of lawsuit

In February 2021, Dominion warned Lindell that they planned to sue him, stating in their letter: "You have positioned yourself as a prominent leader of the ongoing misinformation campaign."

February 22, 2021: Dominion Files Defamation Lawsuit

On February 22, 2021, Dominion filed a US$1.3 billion defamation lawsuit against Mike Lindell and My Pillow, alleging a defamatory marketing campaign.

March 2021: Lindell Announces Counter-Suit Against Dominion

In March 2021, Lindell announced on Steve Bannon's podcast that he would counter-sue Dominion for racketeering and election interference.

April 20, 2021: Publication of Absolute Interference

On April 20, 2021, Lindell published a second documentary titled "Absolute Interference," promoting debunked conspiracy theories about the 2020 election and criticizing the news media and communism.

June 2021: Lindell Files Civil Suit Against Dominion and Smartmatic

In June 2021, Mike Lindell filed a civil suit against Dominion and Smartmatic. Subsequently, a law partner involved in the suit left their firm.

September 2021: Bonner County Announces Recount

In September 2021, Bonner County, Idaho, announced it would recount ballots from the 2020 presidential election due to Lindell's allegation of digital hacking in all 44 Idaho counties.

December 2021: Lindell's Lawsuit Against Daily Mail Dismissed

In December 2021, a federal court dismissed Lindell's libel suit against the Daily Mail.

2021: Major retailers stopped carrying My Pillow products

In 2021, some major retailers stopped carrying My Pillow products. Lindell suggested this was a result of his claims relating to the 2020 United States presidential election results.

January 2022: Smartmatic Sues Lindell for Defamation

In January 2022, Smartmatic sued Mike Lindell for defamation, seeking unspecified damages after his false claims reduced the company's value.

April 2022: Donation to Tina Peters' legal defense fund

In April 2022, Lindell's mention of his donating as much as $800,000 to a legal defense fund for Tina Peters, then a Republican candidate for Colorado Secretary of State, raised questions as such a donation would violate Colorado state law.

May 2022: Rejoined and was banned from Twitter

In May 2022, Lindell rejoined Twitter, circumventing a previous ban, but was quickly banned again for ban evasion.

May 2022: Court Dismisses Lindell's Claims

In May 2022, the federal court dismissed all claims by Lindell and MyPillow against Dominion, Smartmatic, and their legal representation, ruling Lindell liable for attorney's fees to Smartmatic.

September 13, 2022: FBI Seizes Lindell's Phone

On September 13, 2022, the FBI served a search and seizure warrant for Mike Lindell's phone while he was at a fast-food drive-through in Minnesota.

April 20, 2023: Arbitration Panel Orders Lindell to Pay $5 Million

On April 20, 2023, an arbitration panel ordered Mike Lindell to pay $5 million to Robert Zeidman, who disproved Lindell's claims of Chinese interference in the 2020 election data.

July 2023: MyPillow auctioned off equipment and subleased manufacturing space

In July 2023, MyPillow had auctioned off equipment and subleased some of their manufacturing space after more retailers, including Walmart and Slumberland Furniture, stopped retailing My Pillow products.

August 2023: Lindell Plans Drone Surveillance of Polling Places

In August 2023, Mike Lindell announced his plan to use drones with wireless sniffing devices near polling places to detect internet connections on voting machines, in an effort to prevent voting fraud.

February 21, 2024: Court Confirms Arbitration Award

On February 21, 2024, the United States District Court of the District of Minnesota confirmed the arbitration award, requiring Lindell to pay $5 million.