South Dakota governor promises no social distancing when Trump attends Mount Rushmore celebration


President Trump will celebrate the freedom to spread disease when he visits Mount Rushmore on Friday.
Trump is set to attend and speak at an Independence Day celebration at the South Dakota landmark on Friday. And while South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R) confirmed organizers will hand out face masks to anyone who wants them, she told Fox News' Laura Ingraham on Monday that "we will not be social distancing."
Noem promised a "large event" set for Friday on her Ingraham Angle appearance, saying "we told those folks that have concerns that they can stay home." As for everyone who comes, "we'll be giving out free face masks, if they choose to wear one," Noem said. "But we will not be social distancing." About 7,500 people will be allowed to attend the event, with tickets chosen through an online lottery that ended in June, per NBC News.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Noem's promise contradicts the advice of the National Park Service, which "ask[s] the public to be our partner in adopting social distancing practices when visiting parks" to avoid the spread of COVID-19. Trump, meanwhile, has been resistant to social distancing and wearing a mask throughout the entire pandemic.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Kathryn is a graduate of Syracuse University, with degrees in magazine journalism and information technology, along with hours to earn another degree after working at SU's independent paper The Daily Orange. She's currently recovering from a horse addiction while living in New York City, and likes to share her extremely dry sense of humor on Twitter.
-
'The Minnesota attacks join a grim catalog of political violence'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Another Starship blast sets back Musk's Mars hopes
Speed Read Nobody was killed in the explosion, which occurred in south Texas
-
3 tips to save for a cruise this year
The Explainer The convenience of a cruise doesn't necessarily come cheap without some strategic planning
-
Trump's LA deployment in limbo after court rulings
Speed Read Judge Breyer ruled that Trump's National Guard deployment to Los Angeles was an 'illegal' overreach. But a federal appellate court halted the ruling.
-
Marines, National Guard in LA can detain Americans
speed read The troops have been authorized to detain anyone who interferes with immigration raids
-
Trump vows 'very big force' against parade protesters
Speed Read The parade, which will shut down much of the capital, will celebrate the US Army's 250th anniversary and Trump's 79th birthday
-
Smithsonian asserts its autonomy from Trump
speed read The DC institution defied Trump's firing of National Portrait Gallery Director Kim Sajet
-
Trump sends Marines to LA, backs Newsom arrest
speed read California Gov. Gavin Newsom is filing lawsuits in response to Trump's escalation of the federal response to ICE protests
-
Trump foists National Guard on unwilling California
speed read Protests erupted over ICE immigration raids in LA county
-
Supreme Court lowers bar in discrimination cases
speed read The court ruled in favor of a white woman who claimed she lost two deserved promotions to gay employees
-
Trump-Musk relationship implodes in taunts, threats
speed read Musk said Trump's multitrillion bill would cause a recession and accused the president of involvement with Jeffrey Epstein