Thousands roar for Trump as Noem endorses

Former president goes on attack against opponents in two-hour Rapid City speech

RAPID CITY – Gov. Kristi Noem attacked former President Donald Trump’s GOP rivals Friday while endorsing Trump for president during a rally hosted by the South Dakota Republican Party.

Noem also criticized Republican officials who didn’t show up for the rally – which had been billed as an event to unify the state GOP. While she didn’t name them, those included South Dakota’s congressional delegation.

“They didn’t even show up here tonight to welcome a former president of the United States,” she said while acknowledging that Trump, who is under indictment in four criminal cases, is “controversial.”

Trump took the stage to thunderous applause and thanked Noem for her endorsement, saying, “Hers means a lot.”

“I come back to the people who love me,” he said.

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