If you’ve spent any time in the Midwest, you know the jingle. You’ve probably hummed it while looking for a specific grit of sandpaper or a gallon of "eggshell" paint. But lately, people aren’t just talking about the 11% rebates. They’re asking about the money trail. Specifically, did Menards donate to Trump, and how deep do those ties actually go?
It's a loaded question. Politics and home improvement stores don't usually mix until a billionaire founder enters the chat.
The short answer is a bit more nuanced than a simple "yes" or "no" because we have to separate the store from the man. While the Menards corporation itself has its own way of handling funds, it’s the founder, John Menard Jr., who carries the heavy checkbook.
The Billionaire Connection: John Menard and Donald Trump
Honestly, the relationship between John Menard Jr. and Donald Trump is kind of a roller coaster. They weren't always the best of buddies. In fact, back in 2013, they had a pretty nasty public falling out over a business deal involving a private equity fund. Trump even took to social media to bash Menard, suggesting his employees should unionize—which is a huge jab considering Menard’s well-known anti-union stance.
But money has a way of smoothing things over.
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By the time the 2016 election rolled around, the ice had started to melt. FEC records and political tracking reports show that John Menard Jr. began funneling money toward Trump-aligned causes. He wasn't just throwing pennies. We’re talking about significant contributions to PACs and conservative groups that paved the way for the Trump administration.
For instance, Menard reportedly donated $50,000 to a PAC supporting Trump during that first 2016 run. It wasn't his only contribution to the GOP that year. In fact, OpenSecrets data once noted that about 97% of the company’s political contributions in that cycle went to Republicans.
Did Menards Donate to Trump Directly?
This is where people get confused. Most big corporations don't write a check that says "Pay to the order of Donald Trump." That’s not how the game is played. Instead, the money moves through Political Action Committees (PACs) or "dark money" groups where the original donor's name isn't always on the front page.
John Menard Jr. is a legendary "influence peddler" in Wisconsin politics. He has a history of supporting conservative heavyweights like Scott Walker and the Koch brothers' network.
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When you ask, "did Menards donate to Trump," you're likely seeing the shadow of these three things:
- Personal Donations: John Menard Jr. and his wife, Fay Menard, have personally maxed out donations to various Republican candidates.
- PAC Contributions: The Menards PAC and John Menard personally have supported groups like the Wisconsin Club for Growth and Americans for Prosperity.
- Advisory Roles: In 2020, Trump actually named John Menard Jr. to his economic advisory group to help plan the country's "rebound." That's about as close as you get to a seat at the table.
Why the Controversy Matters to Shoppers
People care about this because they want to know where their "11% off" savings are going. Some folks see a billionaire supporting a pro-business president and think, "Yeah, that makes sense." Others see the environmental fines Menards has paid over the years—millions of dollars for various violations—and worry that political donations are a way to buy a lighter touch from regulators like the EPA.
It's a fair concern.
Under the Trump administration, there was a significant push for deregulation. For a man like John Menard, whose company has faced record penalties for environmental issues in Wisconsin, a friendlier EPA is basically a line item on a balance sheet.
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The Current State of Affairs in 2026
Fast forward to today. The political landscape is still messy, and the Menard family remains one of the most powerful donor blocks in the Midwest. They haven't stopped writing checks. Whether it's supporting local Wisconsin GOP races or national figures, the Menard name is synonymous with conservative funding.
While the "feud" of 2013 is ancient history, the alliance between the two moguls seems to have solidified during the 2020 cycle and beyond. Menard attended White House events, including celebrations for Team Penske (which Menards sponsors) after their Indy 500 win.
What You Can Do With This Information
If you're a conscious consumer, you’ve got options. Some people choose to boycott stores based on the owner's politics. Others feel that a good price on a 2x4 is more important than where the CEO sends his Christmas cards.
Here is how you can stay informed:
- Check FEC.gov: You can search "John Menard" in the individual donor database to see exactly who he’s giving to in real-time. It’s all public record.
- Look at OpenSecrets: This site aggregates corporate and PAC data, which gives you a broader view of the Menards company’s political leaning.
- Follow local news: In Wisconsin and Minnesota, journalists like those at the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign keep a very close eye on Menard’s "dark money" contributions.
Ultimately, John Menard Jr. is a businessman who uses his wealth to support a specific political vision. Whether that makes you want to shop there or head to Home Depot is entirely up to you. But the link between the Menard fortune and the Trump campaign is real, documented, and unlikely to change anytime soon.