You've probably heard the jingle. "Save big money at Menards!" It’s basically the anthem of the Midwest. But lately, when people are walking down those massive aisles looking for a 2x4 or a new ceiling fan, they aren't just thinking about the 11% rebate. They’re wondering where that money goes once it leaves the cash register. Specifically, a lot of folks are asking: does Menards support Trump?
It’s a valid question. In a world where every purchase feels like a political vote, knowing the leanings of a retail giant matters to a lot of people. But the answer isn't a simple "yes" or "no" stamped on a box of nails. It’s a messy mix of billionaire friendships, massive campaign checks, and some surprisingly public Twitter (well, X) spats from years ago.
The Man Behind the Green Vest
To understand if Menards supports Trump, you have to look at the guy who owns the whole thing: John Menard Jr. He isn’t just a store owner; he’s the richest person in Wisconsin. Forbes puts his net worth somewhere north of $18 billion. Unlike some other big CEOs who try to stay neutral to avoid offending customers, John Menard has a long, documented history as a Republican megadonor.
He’s been a massive supporter of conservative causes for decades. We're talking millions of dollars. He was a key player in the "dark money" groups that backed former Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker. He’s also been linked to the Koch brothers' network, which is about as heavy-hitting as it gets in GOP circles.
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But what about the former president specifically?
The Trump Connection: It’s Complicated
Honestly, the relationship between John Menard and Donald Trump is kind of a rollercoaster. They were friends once. Back in the day, they even teamed up to donate to the Wisconsin Club for Growth. They shared mutual friends, like billionaire Stephen Hilbert.
But things got weird in 2013.
Before Trump was "President Trump," he and Menard had a business falling out. It involved a skin-care line featuring Melania Trump. When the deal went south, Trump did what Trump does—he went to social media. He actually tweeted that John Menard treated his employees horribly and suggested they should form a union. For a guy like Menard, who is famously anti-union, that was a massive jab.
However, business and politics often mend fences. By the 2016 election, the hatchet seemed buried. Menard donated $50,000 to a PAC supporting Trump’s first run. Then, in 2020, during the height of the pandemic, Trump named John Menard to his Great American Economic Revival Industry Group.
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Does the Company Itself Take a Stand?
It’s important to distinguish between the man and the brand. Technically, Menard Inc. (the corporation) doesn't usually put out press releases endorsing candidates. You won't see a "Trump 2024" banner hanging over the lumber yard.
But for most people, the distinction is a bit of a stretch. John Menard owns 100% of the company. It’s a private family business. When he makes a multi-million dollar donation to a conservative PAC, that money is coming from the profits of those 300+ stores.
Why the Tim Walz Viral Video Changed the Conversation
This whole debate got a second wind recently because of Tim Walz. The Minnesota Governor and 2024 VP candidate went viral for a TikTok where he was gushing about Menards. He talked about buying furnace filters and downspouts there. He even sang the jingle.
It created this hilarious irony. Here is a high-profile Democrat unintentionally acting as a brand ambassador for a company owned by a GOP megadonor. It highlighted the "Regular Joe" appeal of the store, which transcends party lines in the Midwest. Even if you hate the owner's politics, you might still need that cheap mulch.
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Factual Breakdown of Support
If you're looking for the hard evidence of where the support lies, here is a breakdown of the ties:
- Financial Backing: John Menard Jr. has consistently funneled money into Republican PACs and candidates that align with Trump's platform. This includes a $50,000 check to a pro-Trump PAC early on.
- Policy Alignment: Menard’s business philosophy—deregulation, anti-union stances, and tax cuts—aligns almost perfectly with the Trump administration's economic goals.
- Advisory Roles: Being hand-picked for Trump’s economic task force in 2020 is a pretty clear sign of a working relationship.
- Philanthropy with a Lean: While he gives to hospitals and schools, he also funds centers like the Menard Center for the Study of Institutions & Innovation, which focuses on civil liberties from a perspective often favored by conservatives.
The Counter-Argument: Is it "Support" or Just Business?
Some argue that Menard supports Republicans, not necessarily just Trump. He’s given money to plenty of GOP figures who haven't always seen eye-to-eye with the former president. In the world of billionaires, donating is often seen as "buying a seat at the table" rather than a personal endorsement of everything a candidate says.
Also, the 2013 spat shows there isn't total loyalty. If a business deal goes bad, the friendship evaporates. This suggests the "support" is more about shared interests in taxes and labor laws than it is about a personal "MAGA" devotion.
How This Affects You as a Shopper
So, if you're standing in the parking lot wondering if your money is going to a Trump campaign, the reality is: probably, at least indirectly.
If you are a hardcore Democrat who wants to avoid any business linked to Trump, Menards is a tough place to shop. On the flip side, if you support Trump, you might see shopping at Menards as a way to support a like-minded businessman who has faced criticism from the "other side."
Most shoppers fall in the middle. They just want a good price on a lawnmower.
Actionable Insights for the Conscious Consumer
If you want to be more intentional about where your money goes based on the does Menards support Trump question, here’s how you can handle it:
- Check FEC Filings: If you really want to stay updated, sites like OpenSecrets allow you to track John Menard’s latest donations. This is the only way to see current 2025 and 2026 data as it becomes public.
- Compare the Alternatives: Home Depot’s co-founder, Bernie Marcus, is also a huge Trump supporter. Lowe’s tends to be more "corporate neutral" but their PACs still lean Republican. If you're looking for a progressive hardware utopia, it basically doesn't exist on a national scale. Local hardware stores are your best bet for avoiding "megadonor" politics.
- Separate the Jingle from the Politics: If you like the store but hate the owner's politics, you can offset your spending. For every $100 you spend at Menards, you could donate $11 (the rebate amount!) to a cause you actually believe in.
- Look at the Labor Practices: For many, the "support" issue isn't just about the president—it's about how the company treats its people. Researching Menards' history with unions and employee pay might give you a better idea of the company's "values" than a single campaign donation will.
At the end of the day, John Menard Jr. is a titan of industry who uses his wealth to influence American politics in a conservative direction. Whether that counts as "supporting Trump" depends on how you define the term, but the financial ties are certainly there. Your choice to save big money at Menards is, for better or worse, a tiny part of that massive financial engine.