Get the Hell Outta Here": Scott Presler Barred from SD Republican Dinner, Sparks Backlash Over SAVE Act Pressure

Rapid City, SD – In a dramatic scene captured on video and quickly going viral, prominent conservative activist Scott Presler was denied entry to a ticketed South Dakota Republican Party State Convention dinner on Thursday evening, despite holding a valid ticket. The event, which featured Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) and Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin as speakers, has ignited fierce backlash from MAGA supporters and grassroots conservatives.

Presler, known nationally for his aggressive voter registration drives, cleanup efforts, and vocal advocacy for election integrity measures — particularly the SAVE America Act — arrived at the convention ready to participate. In a livestream, he confronted staff at the door after being turned away.

In the widely shared video, a man identified in reports and Presler's posts as connected to the event (later named in discussions as Matthew Bruner, a Republican involved with the party) tells Presler: “Get the hell outta here.” He adds, “I’m the asshole saying you can’t come in,” citing Presler’s social media activity and public pressure on Republican leadership.

Presler responded calmly on camera: “You see how the grassroots are welcomed in Senate Majority Leader Thune’s territory? Interesting, my friends. I don’t think this is a good reflection of the South Dakota GOP. But I thank him for his honesty, though.”

Context: The SAVE America Act Battle

The incident comes amid heightened tensions over the SAVE America Act (Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act), a priority for President Trump that would require proof of citizenship and photo ID for federal elections. Presler has been one of the most visible grassroots voices pressuring the Senate — and specifically Thune as Majority Leader — to bring the bill to the floor for a vote.

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Two resolutions related to the issue were reportedly on the table at the convention: one urging Thune and the delegation to pass the Act, and another to censure him until it becomes law. Thune’s office has pushed back strongly, with a communications staffer calling Presler’s claim of direct staff involvement a “categorical lie,” stating that Thune’s team does not handle ticketing.

Presler later posted that SD GOP Chairman Jim Eschenbaum confirmed Thune had asked that he not attend the event.

Reactions Pour In

The video has drawn sharp criticism from prominent conservatives:

• Supporters argue it shows establishment contempt for grassroots activists who deliver votes and organize on the ground.

• Figures like Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) and Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) amplified the story, questioning the exclusion.

• South Dakota locals and national MAGA voices expressed embarrassment and called for accountability.

Presler has continued his work undeterred, emphasizing voter registration and pushing for the SAVE Act. He has a long track record of turning out Republican voters in key states.

What This Means

This episode highlights deepening fault lines within the Republican Party between establishment figures and the Trump-aligned grassroots base. With the SAVE Act stalled in the Senate despite House passage and strong public support, activists like Presler see events like this as evidence that pressure from the base is needed more than ever.

As one observer put it, treating dedicated volunteers and organizers with visible contempt risks alienating the very people who power Republican turnout.