Trump visit could heal South Dakota GOP division

The Dakota Scout confirms former president tapped to speak at September event in Black Hills

(Courtesy of Trump campaign)

Donald Trump could unify the South Dakota Republican Party.

That’s the hope of GOP officials who’ve been scrambling to bring the former president to a party fundraiser and Central Committee meeting that was abruptly rescheduled this week.

Trump had not officially been named as the speaker for the South Dakota Republican Party’s September meeting in Rapid City until after The Dakota Scout first reported his planned visit Wednesday.

Multiple sources confirmed that he’d been scheduled to attend the event. Meanwhile, GOP Chairman John Wiik confirmed that the party postponed the July 21 fundraiser and July 22 committee meeting after his speaker for the fundraiser had to change plans.

“I had a speaker lined up,” he said. “They had another engagement.”

And in an announcement Wednesday afternoon, the chairman said Trump’s visit will “inspire our Republican Party to even greater heights.”

Trump, the current GOP front-runner for the 2024 presidential nomination, last came to the state on an official visit in 2020 during an Independence Day fireworks celebration at Mount Rushmore.

That party leadership had been tight-lipped about its plans and Trump’s status at the upcoming event has stirred some consternation within the state GOP.

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