A video from the South Dakota Republican Party’s State Convention has gone viral. It shows Sergeant at Arms Matt Bruner removing MAGA activist and conservative influencer Scott Presler from the event. Presler had already paid for a ticket.
Bruner was removed from his role later that night. The South Dakota GOP chair also personally apologized to Presler. The incident has drawn attention to growing tensions between MAGA supporters and Senate Majority Leader John Thune.
The South Dakota Republican Party’s State Convention began on June 25 at the Monument Events Center in Rapid City. The first night featured a BBQ dinner sponsored by Senator John Thune. Thune and Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin were scheduled to speak.
In a video shared on X, Presler recorded himself being stopped at the entrance. “I’m here at the South Dakota State Convention, and they are saying that I can’t come in. We’re going to find out very shortly why I am not being allowed, as one of the biggest supporters of President Donald J. Trump,” he said.
Bruner then entered the frame and told Presler he was barred due to his social media activity. He also told him to “get the hell outta here.” Bruner then called himself “the *expletive* saying you can’t come in.”
Presler later posted a photo of his ticket on X. He wrote, “It was Senate Majority Leader Thune’s staff that would not let me into the dinner.”
He later shared another video. In it, he claimed South Dakota GOP Convention Chairman Jim Eschenbaum said on camera that Thune personally asked that Presler not be allowed to attend.
Thune’s communications officer, Ryan Wrasse, denied the claim on X. He called it “a categorical lie.” Wrasse also wrote, “Thune’s staff doesn’t run ticketing checks at the South Dakota GOP dinner doors. Give me a break.”
After removing Presler, Bruner appeared to joke about the incident on Facebook. He posted a selfie and wrote, “John Thune and Markwayne Mullin spoke tonight. Shame some folks couldn’t be there to enjoy it.”
When people criticized him in the comments, Bruner replied, “Ummm….you guys understand I get paid for all your hater comments right?”
The backlash came quickly. The next morning, the South Dakota GOP chair apologized to Presler on X. He wrote, “I want to personally apologize for how things were handled tonight at the SD GOP Convention. I haven’t watched the video yet, but Matt Bruner has been relieved of his duties as one of our Sergeant at Arms by the lead Sergeant at Arms. More in comments.”
As of this writing, Senator Thune has not publicly responded to the incident.
Internet Reacts to Scott Presler Being Ejected From South Dakota GOP Convention
The clip spread quickly online, drawing reactions from across the conservative base. Some saw the moment as politically self-defeating. “Oh no. He doesn’t know the fire he just started lmao,” one commenter wrote. Another called for broader accountability: “This definitely needs to go viral with this maniacal Sergeant at Arms for the South Dakota GOP. This man does not belong in a position of power.”
Not everyone sided with Presler, however. One commenter offered a counter-read: “The event was closed to the press and advertised as such. No press were allowed in, whether they had a dinner ticket or not. He literally posted a photo of himself with a press badge just before he made these false claims about a state party event — not Thune’s. It’s nonsense.”
A fourth took a more speculative tone: “Must be something in Scott Presler’s past. Wonder what?”
The South Dakota GOP Convention website says credentialed reporters had special areas in both main rooms. Reporters also had to register in advance to get press credentials.
One person commenting on the viral post claimed Presler was wearing a press badge shortly before he was removed. The commenter suggested that he was removed because of his press status, not because of his ticket.
Presler disputes that claim. The video does not clearly show why he was removed.
