South Dakota’s Republican Governor Kristi Noem has expressed her endorsement of President Donald Trump’s candidacy for re-election in the 2024 race.
“He is the leader, the fighter that our country needs,” Gov. Noem told a crowd of thousands at a GOP rally in Rapid City.
“He has my full and complete endorsement for president of the United States.
“I will do everything I can to help him win and save this country.”
At the rally, President Trump took the spotlight, with Governor Noem introducing the 45th president onto the stage. Speculation about Noem potentially being considered as Trump’s running mate has circulated before. During the event, a graphic displaying “Trump Noem 2024” briefly appeared on the screen behind the stage.
“I get endorsements, some good, some bad,” Trump told the massive crowd.
“Some don’t mean anything. Hers means a lot.”
Governor Noem’s endorsement of Trump came after her 20-minute speech, in which she showcased South Dakota’s accomplishments. She also acknowledged Trump’s role in enabling the state’s success in the aftermath of the pandemic. While numerous states adhered to national guidelines, including lockdowns and stay-at-home orders that affected businesses, churches, and schools, Noem remained steadfast in preserving the freedoms of South Dakotans.
“Those decisions were not leadership,” she noted.
“They were made based on fear and control.”
“We focused on our facts,” Noem said, noting that scientific data about the virus “did not support mandates or lockdowns.”
That’s why she declared the state “open for business.”
Noem also invited people to come visit and allowed citizens “to make the best decisions for themselves and for their loved ones.”
“I respected my oath to the United States in the South Dakota constitutions,” she explained.
“I respected our freedom, and I respected our people.
“Now if Joe Biden had been president, he would have tried to stop me from protecting you thank God President Trump was in the White House at the time.”
“He let me do my job,” she said of Trump as the crowd responded with loud cheers, applause, and whistles.
“And the results have been absolutely incredible.”
