Lindell, a conspiracy theorist and an ally of former President Donald Trump, held a MAGA Frank Free Speech rally at the River’s Edge Apple River concert venue in New Richmond, Wisconsin, on Saturday. The conservative businessman has been a key promoter of Trump’s baseless claims that the 2020 election was “stolen” by President Joe Biden and the Democrats. These groundless allegations have been thoroughly litigated and wholly debunked.
The free outdoor event’s gates opened at 9 a.m. as attendees slowly trickled in. A livestream of the event was broadcast on Lindell’s new online platform Frank. Just after 11 a.m., the national anthem was played with an expected flyover of jets to come at the end. However, the planes did not immediately materialize and Lindell stood awkwardly onstage for several minutes, looking at the sky as he searched for the aircraft in the sky.
Lindell initially told the crowd that they had a “surprise” coming, as he looked upward. After the planes failed to arrive, he remained onstage and said: “A surprise in the sky here in about a minute—30 seconds.”
“You can’t time it,” the pro-Trump businessman said, looking around awkwardly.
Others on the stage appeared to be checking their phones or attempting to make a call.
“Can they see them? Are they here?” Lindell asked.
Eventually, conservative commentator Brannon Howse sang “God Bless America,” as the crowd was told to continue to “wait for the surprise.”
Hours later, as Lindell was speaking, the jets finally arrived. The audience cheered loudly as Lindell asserted the planes were flying in honor of Trump.
The event featured a slate of conservative commentators, with many promoting Trump’s groundless claims about the 2020 election. Former Fox Nation hosts Diamond & Silk argued that Biden was ruling the country like a “regime,” and they told the crowd that Biden and the Democrats would make all Americans “slaves.” They also speculated on whether or not Trump would be “reinstated.”
The former president was slated to speak at the event later in the day via video link.
Lindell, like Trump, continues to promote baseless allegations that the 2020 election was rigged and rife with widespread voter fraud. Dozens of election challenge lawsuits filed by the former president and his supporters have failed in state and federal courts. Even judges appointed by Trump and other Republicans have rejected the often bizarre claims. Election audits and hand recounts—including in key battleground states where GOP officials oversaw the election—have reaffirmed Biden’s win as well.
Newsweek reached out to River’s Edge Apple River venue for comment on the event, but did not immediately receive a response.
This article has been updated to note the jets finally flew over hours later.
