Mike Lindell, a staunch supporter of former President Donald Trump and well-known election denier, made headlines again by announcing his plan to shave off his iconic mustache and attend the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago “incognito.” Lindell, who has been facing legal and financial troubles due to his false claims about the 2020 election, revealed his unusual strategy on Tuesday while standing outside the convention venue, told NBC.
Lindell and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, both controversial figures in conservative circles, were seen outside the DNC in Chicago. The duo arrived in a black Dodge SUV, accompanied by aides wearing Trump-branded apparel and wielding selfie sticks. Their visit aimed to assess the security measures after pro-Palestine protesters breached a security fence the previous day at Park 578, located at 1919 W. Maypole Ave. Giuliani didn’t hold back, describing the convention as a “pure communist convention.”
Lindell, who has been struggling financially amid a $5 million lawsuit requiring him to turn over documents related to his false election claims, announced that he would be providing “wall-to-wall coverage” of his time in Chicago through his conservative broadcast network, FrankSpeech, for a fee of $2.
Their visit quickly attracted attention, leading to a heated exchange between Lindell and Anthony Arrington, a passerby who confronted Lindell on his election denialism. Arrington, wearing a Kamala Harris shirt, challenged Lindell’s views on voting technology, sparking a tense back-and-forth that lasted for about ten minutes. Meanwhile, Giuliani was quickly escorted back to his vehicle by aides as the situation escalated.
The scene outside the DNC highlighted the tension surrounding the event. A small, lightly attended platform set up by the city for speakers drew little attention, with media and police presence far outnumbering the attendees. Chicago police officers even gathered around Giuliani, taking pictures with the former mayor, who is facing legal troubles of his own after being charged with nine felony counts related to efforts to overturn Arizona’s 2020 election results.
In response to the earlier security breach, an extra layer of fencing was added around the United Center, the main venue for the convention. The breach had led to 13 arrests on charges ranging from misdemeanor trespassing to felony aggravated assault on a police officer. Despite these tensions, the park remained relatively quiet on Tuesday, with only a few speeches and media activities near the fortified fence.
The day’s events underscored the polarized atmosphere surrounding the DNC, with figures like Lindell and Giuliani adding to the already charged environment.