Trump goes after Thune via Twitter, Noem defends
PIERRE, S.D. — Donald Trump took to Twitter this evening to call out South Dakota Senator John Thune after Thune made comments regarding some GOP members support of Trump challenges to the 2020 election.
“The thing they’ve got to remember is, it’s just not going anywhere. I mean, in the Senate it would go down like a shot dog…and I just don’t think it makes a lot of sense to put everybody through this when you know what the ultimate outcome is going to be,” Thune told Capitol Hill reporters Monday night.
Republicans in the Senate so quickly forget. Right now they would be down 8 seats without my backing them in the last Election. RINO John Thune, “Mitch’s boy”, should just let it play out. South Dakota doesn’t like weakness. He will be primaried in 2022, political career over!!!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 23, 2020
Shortly after Trumps tweet was published, Governor Kristi Noem shared her thoughts on the Presidents remarks on her personal Twitter page.
.@johnthune is a friend of mine, and I will not be challenging him. I’m honored to be Governor of South Dakota and will ask the people to give me an opportunity to continue serving them as Governor in 2022.
— Kristi Noem (@KristiNoem) December 23, 2020
Noem says she will not be challenging Thune’s seat when reelection time comes, however, she did express her intent to run for Governor again in 2022.
Rapid City Mayor Steve Allender also chimed in on the action, stating that Thune’s statements were “the logical conclusion.”
One’s opinion, in this case a logical conclusion by @SenJohnThune earns him political threats by the commander in chief. At least 2020 hasn’t been boring. Or enjoyable… https://t.co/J9yvOnX4yZ
— Mayor Steve Allender (@Mayor_Allender) December 23, 2020