John Thune faces backlash for posting about South Dakota's Native Americans’ Day

Thune shared a message on X celebrating the heritage of the Lakota, Dakota and Nakota peoples on the day South Dakota observes Native Americans’ Day, the first state to replace Columbus Day with an indigenous holiday. The post sparked a flood of negative comments from users. Critics argued the gesture was insufficient or politically motivated. The reaction highlights ongoing debate over how the state acknowledges its Native communities.