Far-right MyPillow CEO and prominent conspiracy theorist Mike Lindell is known for his delusional claims, particularly his fantasy that the 2020 election was somehow "stolen" by Democrats engaging with election companies and foreign countries to facilitate widespread election fraud.
As is common with conspiracy theorists, Lindell perceives anyone who questions his "evidence" or his motives as criminals or malicious actors. When his election symposium livestream faced technical difficulties, Lindell proclaimed before the audience that they were being "attacked." He continues to claim that he has enough evidence of election fraud to put 300 million people in jail for life—the vast majority of the U.S. population and far more than the number who voted in the 2020 election he claims was fraudulent.
Now, Lindell has set his sights on Colorado's Democratic Secretary of State Jena Griswold, accusing her of murder on an episode of his LindellTV, before immediately backtracking.
Watch below.
Holy shit! Mike Lindell just accused CO Sect. of State Jena Griswold of committing a murder! Then when the show host freaks out, he says he was just “making an analogy,” but still says she is going to prison. pic.twitter.com/3LLmVDFMQj
— Ron Filipkowski 🇺🇦 (@RonFilipkowski) March 17, 2022
Some context: There's currently an election security investigation being conducted by the FBI in Colorado, after pro-Trump elections officials like the now-indicted Tina Peters, along with Sherronna Bishop, the former campaign manager for far-right Colorado Congresswoman Lauren Boebert.
Bishop's home recently underwent a court-ordered search from the FBI. For that, Lindell blames Griswold.
He said on the broadcast:
"[Griswold] will end up in prison, prison and more prison. Jena Griswold is a criminal beyond all criminals. One of the most evil people this country's ever seen. Fact, and that's that. ... They've weaponized the FBI, weaponized law enforcement, Jena Griswold has. And she's abused her citizens and now you tell me she's coming up with laws so she can get away with the crime in the future. But I got news for you, Jena. It's too late! You've already committed a murder and we caught you!"
Lindell's cohost looked up from the papers he was shuffling in a frantic attempt to get Lindell to elaborate:
"A murder? A murder? A murder?"
That's when Lindell began backtracking.
"Well, a mur—it's a para—well, it's an analogy."
Once again, Lindell earned himself the mockery of social media.
How does this guy still have lawyers? I'd be like, nope, I'm done. https://t.co/2OKoQA3ElH
— Andrea R MD (@AndreaR9Md) March 17, 2022
Conspiracy is a hell of a drug https://t.co/x2qBF2KceA
— Desert Queen🟡Lovin 420🌬🟢 (@bwwlc420) March 17, 2022
Mike needs to strap himself down before he spins off the planet. Just an opinion but he is professional grade crazy... https://t.co/rhGXtoH3Em
— A Saner WV 🇺🇸🏴☠️🇺🇦🇦🇮 (@CBrokr) March 17, 2022
The GQP is going to try and get Secretary of State Griswold killed. We need to protect her and put a stop to Republicans. All of them. https://t.co/abPaI0j9Rl
— RobNBroomfield (@RobnBroomfield) March 17, 2022
He is nuts and a danger imo to the public & democracy as well. So WHEN is somebody competent going to do something about this guys delusions- which could trigger others to ACT on it all & his lies? https://t.co/MqVAvQoXSc
— MdewakantonMommy (@lea_dahkotah69) March 17, 2022
This is what the main stream Republicans are watching these days. If you think the hyperbole about their propaganda is overblown you need to listen to this.
I blame @SenateGOP for allowing this type of garbage to exist without any type of condemnation from the party. https://t.co/OJt5qmLiNU
— Benedict Tя☭mp (@antitrumpactive) March 17, 2022
Some said Lindell, who is already facing multiple defamation lawsuits, opened himself up to further defamation complaints.
He just committed libel and slander on TV to an audience and has opened himself up to legal action. His claim of an analogy doesn’t matter as it doesn’t negate his allegation. Mentally I’ll people should be in treatment not on these types of shows. https://t.co/uMb7OmNCaF
— John Vilnis (@JohnVilnis) March 17, 2022
Lindell said this in the context of the FBI's search of Sherronna Bishop's home a few months ago in Garfield County. Maybe there will be now a new defamation lawsuit against Lindell in the wake of this malicious false accusation. Hope so. https://t.co/K4Idm4XtHL
— Anne Landman (@AnneLandman) March 17, 2022
Somebody arrest lindell already. Defamation is the least this jerk has done https://t.co/bcUczzN3Ls
— Kate Henson (@KateHen46490919) March 17, 2022
Griswold hasn't honored Lindell's accusations with a response.
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Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images