Mediaboss Marketing

RAPID CITY A Friday event intended to rally the South Dakota Republican Party around Donald Trumps visit to the state instead showcased division at the partys highest levels.

The states all-Republican, three-member congressional delegation Sens. John Thune and Mike Rounds, and Rep. Dusty Johnson did not attend the event in the ice arena at The Monument. Their absence was loudly noted several times by a crowd of about 7,000.

Gov. Kristi Noem took what some in the audience appeared to interpret as a veiled jab at the delegation during her speech, after reciting a portion of former President Teddy Roosevelts famous Man in the Arena oration.

Let me be clear. There are many who choose not to be in the arena, Noem said. Many who take the easy path. Who criticize. Who dont show up for our party, our country or our constitutional rights. They dont show up for you when it really matters. They didnt even show up tonight to welcome a former president of the United States to South Dakota.

The remark drew jeers from the audience for the unnamed no-shows.

Earlier in the evening, as the crowd waited for the event to start, boos rained down while videos on a large scoreboard referenced the congressional delegation. One was a replay of Trumps speech at Mount Rushmore in 2020, in which he briefly recognized the delegation; the other was a promotional video about South Dakotas history of Republican leadership that mentioned each member of the delegation.

Their absence was drawn into further relief by the presence of U.S. Sen. Steve Daines, R-Montana, who not only attended but also delivered a speech.

The offices of Thune, Rounds and Johnson told South Dakota Searchlight prior to the event that they had scheduling conflicts. Thune and Rounds have endorsed South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott for the Republican presidential nomination that Trump is seeking. Johnson has said he does not plan to endorse anyone.

Friday night, in a move that has long been a foregone conclusion, Noem formally endorsed Trump.

The event lacked something that had been expected by some observers: an indication from Trump that hes considering Noem as his running mate. He gave no such indication, although it wasnt for lack of a nudge from Noem.

That nudge came as she was reciting things people asked her during the runup to Trumps visit. Another question they ask is, Is President Trump going to pick you? she said, emphasizing pick and pausing for effect. As the most popular and favorite governor? And I said yes.

Trump, who has a vast lead in Republican presidential primary polling, did praise Noem as one of the most successful governors in the nation and said her endorsement means a lot.

Kristi, Im truly honored to receive your endorsement, Trump said. Very much so. I appreciate it.

It was Trumps third visit to South Dakota since Noems first run for governor, and he has been at her side each time first at a Sioux Falls fundraiser during her 2018 campaign, next at a Mount Rushmore fireworks display in 2020 at Noems invitation, and then in Rapid City on Friday night, where Noem introduced the former president.

The state Republican Party organized Fridays event, called the Monumental Leaders Rally, as a fundraiser. Party Chairman and state Sen. John Wiik told South Dakota Searchlight before the event that proceeds from the $25 individual tickets and the VIP packages at a price up to $25,000 to meet with Noem and Trump stayed with the party, minus expenses. Wiik said Trump may also have raised money from the event through separate efforts, but Wiik said he did not have those details.

In the absence of the congressional delegation, other state-level Republicans took the stage as warm-up acts for Noem and Trump. The undercard speakers included Wiik, Public Utilities Commissioner Kristie Fiegen, School and Public Lands Commissioner Brock Greenfield, State Auditor Rich Sattgast, State Treasurer Josh Haeder, Attorney General Marty Jackley and Lt. Gov. Larry Rhoden. All were later recognized verbally by Trump, as was former Trump campaign aide Corey Lewandowski, who has since been associated with Noem and was in attendance Friday.

Noem used her speech to cast South Dakota as a state thriving under her leadership, calling it a city on a hill during a very dark time.

Trumps speech began nearly two hours after the events 5:30 p.m. start, and he spoke for nearly two hours. He hit on his usual themes, including claims that the last election was rigged, that hell make elections more secure, that he alone can prevent World War III, that hell rid the nations schools of critical race theory, that hell ban transgender women and girls from participating in womens and girls sports, that Joe Biden is the worst president in history and that Trumps own administration accomplished more than any other.

In a piece of rhetoric aimed at South Dakotas agricultural industry, Trump boasted that farmers picked up big, fat, beautiful checks during his administration, thanks to his efforts to secure government payments to farmers during the pandemic. Trump said farmers got so much help from him that hes all but assured of winning farm country in the 2024 election.

Trump supporters took to the streets as many as nine hours before the event. Charles Hibbs, of White River, waved a giant Trump flag on a street corner near the arena at 10 a.m. Another Trump supporter stood nearby in a T-shirt that read, Fake media is the virus. Trump picked up on the fake media theme during his speech, going on an extended riff about the media and accusing it of not sufficiently showing or describing the size of the crowd.

Most tickets were general admission, which meant earlier arrivals got better seats. By early afternoon, lines stretched hundreds of feet back from the arena. Trump supporters, decked out in red, white and blue and all manner of Trump-themed apparel, stood for hours under a hot sun in mid-80s temperatures.

In the neighboring park, a small cluster of Native Americans sat in the shade and marveled at the lines. Floyd Bullman, a member of the Oglala Lakota Sioux Tribe, criticized Trumps apparent lack of planning for the attendees well-being.

If hes a billionaire, he couldve at least put out some porta-potties, Bullman said.

The local group Liberty and Justice for All obtained a protest permit from the city, but several hours before the event, only three protesters stood under a pop-up shade near the arena. Many Trump supporters passed by without comment, but some hurled insults. You guys are sad, one passerby said, quickly followed by another who added, You guys are a joke.

Toni Diamond, a protester and secretary of the state Democratic Party, wanted to provide a visible alternative presence.

We just want people to know there are people here in South Dakota that arent for Trump, that have an opposing opinion, Diamond said.

Fellow protester Mark Thalacker said he doesnt understand Trump supporters.

Ive seen all the negative things that hes done, how much he lies. It just blows me away, Thalacker said. And for people to still believe the lies that he tells, well, it just amazes me. So were trying to make some cracks in that wall.

Tim and Roxy Dix would rather keep that wall plugged. The rural Rapid Citians are staunch Trump supporters.

Hes got great ideas and hes not a politician. Hes a businessman, Roxy said.

Would they consider supporting another Republican for president who hasnt lost the popular vote twice, been impeached twice, and been indicted four times?

Not a chance.

Its all b, Tim said. Hes an actual winner, and they all know he won the last election.

This article first appeared in theSouth Dakota Searchlight,a sistersite of the Nebraska Examiner in the States Newsroom network.

Here is the original post:
Trump rally highlights Republican division with booing of absent ... - Nebraska Examiner