At the Republican National Committee’s midterm convention in Dallas on Wednesday, attendees booed Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) when President Donald Trump mentioned his name during a speech. Trump later defended Thune, stating that the senator is working hard despite opposition from Democrats.
The incident occurred as Trump praised Republican senators, including Thune, during his remarks. Video footage from the event showed the crowd reacting negatively to Thune’s name, with the booing lasting long enough that it was unclear whether South Dakota’s delegation had cheered. Trump intervened, saying, “No, no, John is working hard. He’s got great opposition… from the Democrat Schumer and these guys, they’re terrible. He’s got great opposition; he’s working very hard.”
Thune’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Background: Thune’s Senate Leadership Under Scrutiny
Trump has previously criticized Thune’s leadership of the Senate Republican caucus, particularly over the failure to advance the SAVE America Act, which would require proof of citizenship for voter registration and identification at the ballot box. In July, Trump urged Thune to keep the Senate in session until the bill could pass, but Thune stated that Republicans lacked the necessary votes.
The SAVE America Act has been a point of contention within the GOP, with some lawmakers arguing it is necessary to prevent election fraud, while others contend it faces procedural hurdles. Thune has emphasized the need for consensus within the caucus before moving forward with the legislation.
Republican Midterms as a Litmus Test
The midterm elections, viewed as a referendum on the party in power, are approaching, with Republicans holding narrow majorities in both the House and Senate. The convention’s reaction to Thune reflects broader tensions within the party over leadership and policy priorities ahead of the November vote.