{"id":2623144,"date":"2026-07-03T06:34:02","date_gmt":"2026-07-03T10:34:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-and-thune-look-for-reset-at-mount-rushmore\/"},"modified":"2026-07-03T06:34:45","modified_gmt":"2026-07-03T10:34:45","slug":"trump-and-thune-look-for-reset-at-mount-rushmore","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-and-thune-look-for-reset-at-mount-rushmore\/","title":{"rendered":"Trump and Thune look for reset at Mount Rushmore"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">18<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Ftrump-and-thune-look-for-reset-at-mount-rushmore%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2623144&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>President Donald Trump plans to spend Independence Day eve in South Dakota, attending fireworks and giving remarks at Mount Rushmore, alongside Senate Majority Leader John Thune, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/secy-blinken-pledges-u-s-support-for-gulf-oil-sheikdoms\/\" title=\"Secy. Blinken pledges U.S. support for Gulf oil Sheikdoms\">amid ongoing tensions<\/a> within the Republican Party. despite mutual praise, Trump has publicly criticized Thune for not passing certain legislation, like the SAVE America Act, and for his adherence to Senate rules. Trump also canceled a bipartisan housing bill signing, citing the need for Senate support for the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/mich-gop-seeks-to-bypass-democrat-gov-whitmer-veto-with-election-integrity-package\/\" title=\"Mich. GOP seeks to bypass Democrat Gov. Whitmer veto with election integrity package\">election integrity package<\/a>, which Thune supports. While white House officials emphasize their <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/too-little-too-late-squad-acolyte-loses-again-after-trying-to-airbrush-anti-israel-past\/\" title=\"Too Little, Too Late: \u2018Squad... Acolyte Loses (Again) After Trying To Airbrush Anti-Israel Past\">strong working relationship<\/a>, some former insiders suggest there are underlying tensions and view the upcoming festivity as an prospect to promote unity. Trump\u2019s frustrations with Senate Republicans have been evident, especially after a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/house-republicans-call-for-unity-after-closed-door-caucus-vote-to-keep-rep-cheney-as-conference-chair\/\" title=\"House ... call for unity after closed door caucus vote to keep Rep. Cheney as conference chair\">closed-door caucus<\/a> where he shouted at lawmakers over recent votes. Speculation exists that former South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem may challenge Thune in the future, and Trump has been active in supporting primary challenges against some Republican incumbents. the event aims to project cohesion despite perceived rifts within the party.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"4\">Donald Trump<\/a> will spend Independence Day eve in <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/senate\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"8765\">Senate<\/a> Majority Leader <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/john-thune\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"178\">John Thune\u2019s<\/a> (R-SD) backyard, as Republicans look to gloss over apparent cracks in the critical relationship.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Trump will travel to South Dakota on Friday night to attend a fireworks display and deliver remarks at Mount Rushmore. Thune announced late last week that he would also attend the celebration.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/4632343\/senate-intelligence-jay-clayton-hearing-july-pulte\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Jay Clayton confirmation hearing rescheduled for mid-July<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/4631583\/manchin-urges-democrat-fetterman-becoming-an-independent\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Former Sen. Manchin urges Fetterman to \u2018set yourself free\u2019 by becoming an independent<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/4631515\/mccormick-pennsylvania-state-fair-booth-overruling-shapiro\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>McCormick shows off Pennsylvania\u2019s state fair booth in new video after overruling Shapiro<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThere is no place I\u2019d rather celebrate America\u2019s 250th birthday than in South Dakota. Fireworks are back at Mount Rushmore, and you can\u2019t beat our state\u2019s iconic monument, the Black Hills, and a clear South Dakota sky as a backdrop for a celebration like this,\u201d Thune wrote in a statement. \u201cI\u2019m looking forward to joining President Trump there to celebrate our great country.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Though Trump has repeatedly stated he personally likes Thune, the president has also <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/4625390\/senate-gop-mend-fences-trump-heated-lunch\/\">publicly shamed him<\/a> over his failure to pass the SAVE America Act, his adherence to the Senate\u2019s filibuster rules, and refusal to axe the Senate parliamentarian.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The president additionally rankled the leader by <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4630135\/mike-johnson-confident-housing-bill-become-law\/\">pulling the plug<\/a> on a planned signing ceremony for a bipartisan housing bill. Trump stated that he would not sign the legislation into law until Senate Republicans pass the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/save-america\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"7711\">SAVE America<\/a> Act, the president\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >endorsed election integrity package<\/a> that Thune has reiterated does not have enough votes to make it out of the Senate.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Just minutes after Trump\u2019s decision to nix the signing ceremony, Thune sat for an exclusive <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/4622974\/thune-trump-veto-bipartisan-housing-bill\/\">interview<\/a> with the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> and voiced some displeasure with the president\u2019s decision, given the bipartisan nature of the bill.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI think it\u2019s a big win, and I hope eventually he\u2019ll find his way to sign it,\u201d he said at the time.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The White House downplayed tension between the president and Senate leader, telling the <em>Washington Examiner <\/em>that Trump has \u201cenjoyed working closely with Leader Thune and Senate Republicans to deliver on many important promises to the American people.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe look forward to continuing these close relationships and fulfilling President Trump\u2019s priorities that Americans elected him to enact,\u201d White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson stated, noting that Trump and Thune closely collaborated to confirm a record number of nominees over the past 18 months and pass the One Big Beautiful Bill Act last summer and the Secure America Act, which funds border security.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A former senior White House official, however, acknowledged the \u201cbad optics\u201d of the relationship and suggested that Friday\u2019s event would be an opportunity to smooth over any negative perceptions.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI think that, at least from President Trump\u2019s side, there isn\u2019t any actual animosity. Yes, the president may be frustrated that the Senate hasn\u2019t moved on all of his priorities, but I know he\u2019s confident in Leader Thune himself,\u201d that person explained. \u201cFriday night is an opportunity to project unity and push back on the rift the media is trying to drive between them.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But Trump\u2019s frustrations with Senate Republicans spilled over during a closed-door caucus <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/4623552\/inside-trump-explosive-meeting-senate-republicans\/\">lunch<\/a> on Capitol Hill last month.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-25\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-4\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">During the meeting, which took place hours after Trump canceled his signing of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, the president shouted at lawmakers over a vote the day before to limit his war powers.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Thune did not speak during the meeting but scheduled a symbolic follow-up vote that evening in which two Republicans flipped their original votes. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> previously reported that Thune and a group of lawmakers called the president immediately after to inform him of their decision.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-26\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-5\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4633361\/trump-short-list-supreme-court-vacancy\/\"><strong>TRUMP \u2018CERTAINLY PREPARED\u2019 FOR SCOTUS VACANCY WITH LIST OF NAMES<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Still, there have been whispers that Trump\u2019s former DHS secretary, Kristi Noem, who\u2019d previously spent four terms as the U.S. House representative for South Dakota and two terms as the state\u2019s governor, may seek to run for Thune\u2019s Senate seat.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Trump successfully primaried a number of Republican enemies earlier this election cycle, with several others, including Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC), choosing not to seek reelection and face down a Trump-backed challenger. The president\u2019s political advisers declined to answer questions about whether he was considering backing a primary challenger to Thune should he opt to run for reelection in 2028.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Trump to join Thune in SD for July 4 eve celebration<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4346,"featured_media":2623145,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/AP26175740153961.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[37158,82136,23610,3634],"class_list":["post-2623144","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-mount-rushmore","tag-political-reset","tag-thune","tag-trump"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/AP26175740153961.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2623144","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4346"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2623144"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2623144\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2623148,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2623144\/revisions\/2623148"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2623145"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2623144"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2623144"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2623144"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}