Disgraced far-left brewer Kirk Bangstad, fresh off national backlash for celebrating a foiled assassination attempt on President Donald Trump with promises of “free beer day,” is attempting to claim the mantle of the party’s authentic progressive voice in the Democrat gubernatorial primary as leading rival Francesca Hong walks back her past demands to “defund then abolish” police departments.
Bangstad, owner of Minocqua Brewing Company and founder of a Super PAC that has funneled hundreds of thousands of dollars through unregistered shell entities, is now lashing out at “Corporate Dems” for what he called political weakness, accusing them of caving to Republican pressure instead of embracing bold “resistance.” In a recent Facebook post, he attacked Democrat Party frontrunner, socialist Fransecesa Hong, for flip-flopping on her extremist abolish the police rhetoric.
In Facebook posts, videos, and interviews, Bangstad has repeatedly described himself as “a true Democrat, a true progressive Democrat” with superior name recognition among left-wing voters. He reached out to Hong and other progressives before entering the race, initially praising her as a fellow “true progressive” while dismissing her as “too politically naive and unelectable in a general election.”
Hong drew fresh scrutiny last week after a CNN KFile investigation resurfaced her 2020 and 2021 social media posts. In one, she declared support for “defunding the police as a first step towards abolishing the police.” In another, she wrote that “police exist to uphold white supremacy. Defund then abolish. Reform can’t be an option.”
Facing questions from reporters about whether she still holds those views, Hong has begun softening her rhetoric. She told outlets she has “no way” she would cut resources for public safety as governor. In a comment to Fox News Digital, she said, “I don’t like crime. I don’t like unsafe streets.” Hong described abolition as a long-term vision while insisting current priorities should focus on “systems of care,” community investments, schools, and libraries rather than “arbitrary cuts.” She has not deleted the original posts.
The flip-flopping has not gone unnoticed by Bangstad, who has used the moment to portray himself as the unapologetic fighter against both Republicans and what he calls the feckless corporate wing of the Democratic Party, which now includes Francesca Hong.
