GOP Politician Who Snapped Mike Lindell Pics Says “Attack” Claim Is “Nothingburger”
During Mike Lindell’s Cyber Symposium, where he claimed he would present proof of election fraud (but never actually did so), he also claimed he was the victim of a physical attack at his hotel. He later downsized the story, calling the attack an ‘aggressive poke.’ However, the Republican who took photos of Lindell at the time says the whole thing is a ‘nothingburger.’
Jeffrey Buongiorno, a Republican candidate who is running to represent Florida’s 21st District in the U.S. House, isn’t discounting Lindell’s other claims. He supports the Pillow Guy in his election fraud campaign, and credits him for pushing for evidence — but he says he can’t support this ‘attack’ claim, that could get an innocent person accused and targeted.
In a Twitter thread, Buongiorno says that at the time Lindell claims to have been “attacked” by a selfie-seeker, he was present as a witness. Two individuals approached the Pillow Guy for photos, which Buongiorno took. He knew one of them personally, and still has a copy of that photo, which he shared. He says he took a photo for another man, using that man’s phone, then watched Lindell enter the glass elevator with the person who led the morning prayer at the symposium.
I can't it any longer. I took both pictures at the time Lindell claimed he was attacked. Detective Joffer of Sioux Falls PD can verify. pic.twitter.com/SvTRPPBerK
— Jeffrey Buongiorno for US Congress (@JBforFL) August 17, 2021
Lindell went straight into the elevator with the woman who did morning prayer and is seen behind Lindell.
— Jeffrey Buongiorno for US Congress (@JBforFL) August 17, 2021
The young guy in the blue shirt would be accused and buried, and I just can't let that happen. The person in 1st pix is Army vet and PHD Story will air on DakotaNewsNow tomorrow. #Florida
— Jeffrey Buongiorno for US Congress (@JBforFL) August 17, 2021
Thanks to the glass elevator, Buongiorno says, witnesses saw Lindell’s entire trip to the 6th floor of the hotel, with no apparent poking selfie-artists.
Lindell initially said that he was physically attacked, suggesting a link to others who might have evidence of election fraud and be afraid to come forward.
A worn-down and noticeably dejected Mike Lindell, after being off stage for hours, returns to his symposium and repeats that he was "attacked" last night at his hotel, adding that it was "physically." pic.twitter.com/563y4x9QDj
— Justin Baragona (@justinbaragona) August 12, 2021
Later, as KARE11 reports, he adjusted the story to say he was “aggressively poked” by someone who was being photographed with him.
He says the photo-seeker “put his arm around and stuck his finger” and that Lindell feared if he reacted, the attack would get more severe. “He jammed it in where it was just piercing pain.”
Buongiorno’s eyewitness account seems to contradict this.