Pro-Trump conspiracist Mike Lindell says ‘millions’ are watching his Thanksgiving TV special – but only a few dozen seem to be
MyPillow guy’s telethon-style Thanksgiving Day broadcast only appeared to attract a small number of viewers
Your support helps us to tell the story
This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.
The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.
Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.
Pro-Trump pillow magnate Mike Lindell has claimed millions were tuning in to his “Great Patriot Thanks-A-Thon” streaming special, but the metrics suggest otherwise.
Mr Lindell, a conspiracy theorist, began hosting a 96-hour live stream at 1am EST on Thanksgiving Day, where he promised to discuss his Supreme Court complaint seeking to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.
Mr Lindell reportedly appeared onscreen for the first 90 minutes of the broadcast before returning late on Thanksgiving morning.
Just after midday, Mr Lindell claimed: “There are probably millions of people watching right now”.
However, just 24 people were tuned into his Freedom Patriot Network YouTube channel.
On Mr Lindell’s World-Wire website which was also streaming the broadcast, it wasn’t clear how many people were watching, but around 90 people were participating in a live chat at the time.
“You’re an inspiration to millions,” Thanks-A-Thon guest and author William Federer told Mr Lindell.
“What a Thanksgiving we’re having, God bless ya,” Mr Lindell replied.
Mr Lindell has repeatedly sewn doubt over the 2020 elections and promised to produce proof that they were rigged and that Donald Trump would be reinstated to the presidency.
But he has failed to produce any evidence that voting machines were rigged, or any votes were flipped.
Other guests advertised to appear on the 96-hour broadcast included Steve Bannon, who is facing criminal contempt of Congress charges, and right-wing personalities Diamond and Silk.
Daily Beast reporter Zachary Petrizzo said Mr Lindell had bowed out about 90 minutes into the telethon-style broadcast.
“Last night at 1am est Mike Lindell kicked off his 96-hour straight “thanks-a-thon” event but after an hour and a half, he called it quits for the night.”
Earlier this month, a tuxedo-wearing Mr Trump sat down for an interview with the pillow tycoon where he agreed melting voting machines down into prison bars was a very good idea.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments