Former President Donald Trump will be in Rapid City today for a Republican Party fundraiser that will double as an opportunity for Governor Kristi Noem to showcase herself as a potential vice presidential pick.
The “Monumental Leaders Rally” starts at The Monument, formerly the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center, at 5:30 with the doors opening at 2:00 State Party chair John Wiik expects about 7,000 people to attend the sold-out event.
Wiik says it was first planned as a Lincoln Day-style dinner of the kind commonly held by local Republican groups, but later ballooned into a rally with proceeds going to the state party.
It will be Trump’s first visit to South Dakota since the summer of 2020, when he headlined a Fourth of July fireworks celebration at Mount Rushmore on the eve of Independence Day.
Noem will appear alongside the former president and is to formally endorse him for next year’s presidential race. Two senior Republicans familiar with Noem’s thinking told The Associated Press privately that Noem’s allies want to create an image of the pair that looks like a presidential ticket.
The event is seen as something of an audition for Noem. She planned it as a way to both offer her endorsement and maximize facetime with Trump as he eyes potential 2024 running mates and cabinet members
Noem will be term-limited in 2026 and, after declining to run for president this go-round, is eyeing her next move to maintain prominence in the GOP.
Protesters targeting both Trump and Noem are expected. Annie Bachand, CEO of the South Dakota-based activist group Liberty & Justice for All, says that’s in part because Noem “has more interest in her own self-interest than she does in taking care of the people of South Dakota.”
Security requirements will be in effect at The Monument. The drive lane off Mt Rushmore Road will be closed in front of the center with vehicles required to go into parking lot A2 and exit via lot B1.
The West side drive lane and parking lots will be closed to all traffic from 4:30 until the Rally is over. Lots on the East side will remain open all day with no adjustments to normal practices.
Monument Executive Director Craig Baltzer says it will be a busy day because the complex is also hosting the Rapid City Volleyball Tournament. He suggests carpooling reminds attendees to allow more time than usual for parking and security screenings.
Getting very sick of protestors. Maybe they should direct all their energy into doing something good for the community rather than complaining all the time.
Don’t like protests? China would be a fitting place for you.
What did you do for the community today besides complain about protesters?
I absolutely agree! Let’s get rid of our Constitution completely, except that 2nd Amendment thing so I can have guns and shoot highway signs.
The world is run by a big club and you ain’t in it. George Carlin
The world is a college of corporations, inexorably determined by the immutable bylaws of business. The world is a business, Mr. Beale. It has been since man crawled out of the slime. From the movie Network
Stop living in fantasy land!
agree agree