Senate Majority Leader John Thune, who is supposed to be a Republican, made an odd post celebrating "Native Americans' Day" rather than joining in with the litany of Republicans who threw their support behind Christopher Columbus.
Today is Native Americans’ Day in South Dakota, an opportunity to celebrate the heritage and contributions of the Lakota, Dakota, and Nakota people. https://t.co/x7WoZ6yO8P
— Leader John Thune (@LeaderJohnThune) October 12, 2026
The decision placed Thune alongside Democrats and the socialists who are taking over the Democrat Party, like New York City’s Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who decided to elevate the progressive holiday of "Indigenous Peoples' Day" instead of Columbus Day.
Kuwiinguneewul! Happy Indigenous Peoples’ Day to the Indigenous New Yorkers who continue to shape our city, sustain ancestral traditions, and carry forward generations of resilience. https://t.co/Y4KwwiF2zU
— Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@NYCMayor) October 12, 2026
On Indigenous Peoples’ Day, we celebrate and honor the rich traditions, contributions, and cultures of our country’s Indigenous communities and Tribal Nations. https://t.co/a0iEeLF7Ll
— Democrats (@TheDemocrats) October 12, 2026
On this Indigenous Peoples’ Day, we celebrate the endless and bountiful contributions of Native people. Let us continue to center their voices and wisdom, and staunchly advocate for their community and land prosperity, especially as it relates to climate change.
— Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@RepAOC) October 12, 2026
This Indigenous Peoples Day, we honor indigenous communities and the responsibility to honor tribal sovereignty rights. And we recommit to creating a just world where all are guaranteed dignity and self-determination.
— Dr. Abdul El-Sayed (@AbdulElSayed) October 12, 2026
This morning we gathered on the shores of Bde Maka Ska to celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day - a time to honor the 11 sovereign Tribal Nations and urban Native communities that continue to enrich Minnesota’s cultural landscape. https://t.co/cotwVJioS6
— Governor Tim Walz (@GovTimWalz) October 12, 2026
Sen. Bernie Moreno had a message for those taking Thune’s stance:
Sen. Bernie Moreno tells @hicharliecotton it's "dumb" to celebrate Columbus Day as Indigenous Peoples' Day. "It's an insult to Italian Americans." https://t.co/p97CvDZMvR
— TMZ (@TMZ) October 12, 2026
If leadership can’t get behind something as simple as celebrating an American hero like Christopher Columbus, it’s no wonder that he was unable to find the votes for the SAVE Act.
