Gov. Kristi Noem (R) of South Dakota has been a staunch supporter of former President Trump for years, earning her immense popularity within the MAGA community.
Governor Noem, who has been in office since 2018, proudly shares her interactions with the former president and has been a vocal supporter of his presidency. A noteworthy instance was during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 when they spent the July 4th holiday together at Mount Rushmore.
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- 1 In the national spotlight
- 2 Conservative standard-bearer
- 3 Provocative statements
- 4 A Noem comeback?
At the age of 51, Noem has been a strong supporter of Trump since he became the Republican nominee in 2016. Initially, she backed Senator Marco Rubio’s candidacy, but later switched her allegiance to Trump. In August, she endorsed the former President for his 2024 run, making her an early supporter.
Noem’s first gubernatorial run was endorsed by Trump, resulting in her becoming the first female governor of South Dakota. Prior to this, she had served as a member of Congress for eight years.
During a February event in South Carolina, Trump confirmed a list of potential vice presidential contenders and mentioned Noem’s name, stating that she had been doing an incredible job fighting for him.
In her upcoming book, it was revealed that she had shot her dog after a hunting trip, potentially damaging her prospects of becoming Trump’s running mate. The Guardian was the first to report on the story after obtaining a copy of the book. Following the revelation, she faced widespread criticism and ridicule for both killing the dog and for sharing a story that was roughly two decades old.
In her book, Noem humbly admits, “I suppose I wouldn’t be sharing this story if I were a more adept politician.”
In the national spotlight
Noem frequently appears on Newsmax and Fox News to criticize the current administration and advocate for conservative causes.
According to Noem, D.C. is not the place to look for solutions because nothing significant is accomplished there. Instead, it is the governors who have had to take on the leadership role. She acknowledges that some governors have made bad decisions resulting in devastating consequences for their states, while others have done the right thing.
Entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and former United Nations ambassador Nikki Haley tied for the top choice in a CPAC straw poll on Trump’s vice presidential pick.
In March, Noem joined forces with Trump in Ohio, proudly sporting the iconic red “Make America Great Again” hat alongside the former president, who spoke highly of her.
During a speech, former President Donald Trump praised Governor Kristi Noem of South Dakota, referring to her as a skilled politician who is making a significant impact in her role. Trump stated, “We have a very special woman who’s hot as a politician. She’s doing an incredible job in South Dakota. She’s the governor, Kristi Noem.”
Upon taking the stage, Noem expressed her defensive stance upon President Biden’s inauguration, stating that her sole focus now is to safeguard the freedom of her constituents. “I am constantly fighting to ensure the protection of my people’s liberty,” she declared.
In a later statement, Trump mentioned, “It’s unfortunate that societal norms dictate that I cannot comment on her physical appearance, so I will refrain from doing so. Making such a statement would inevitably lead to political backlash, and I cannot afford that.”
Conservative standard-bearer
As one of the leaders from a red state, she stood firmly against the COVID-19 mandates, along with other governors such as Ron DeSantis of Florida. Her unwavering resistance not only gained her recognition on a national level but also cemented her position as a prominent figure in the political arena.
In 2022, TikTok access was prohibited for state employees and contractors by Noem. She referred to the southern border as a “war zone” and announced her intention to dispatch National Guard troops from her state. As part of her efforts, she sent 60 South Dakota National Guard members to Texas on a rotating basis over a three-month span in February.
According to Lisa Hager, a political science professor at South Dakota State University, Governor Noem is interested in discussing national issues, suggesting that she may have aspirations beyond her current role.
According to Hager, it appears that if she avoids those matters, she is more dedicated to South Dakota. As for her political aspirations, it is unclear what her future plans may be. However, it is apparent that she has set her sights on something for the future.
Provocative statements
In April, she challenged the Biden administration by threatening to take the President to court over the federal Title IX changes regarding transgender students. She is not one to shy away from confrontations.
In a recent altercation with Biden, she referred to her own experience of having to put down her dog and suggested that Commander, Biden’s German Shepherd who had reportedly bitten Secret Service personnel multiple times, should have met a similar fate.
After hearing her comments, the White House reacted by stating that they found them to be alarming, and urged her to refrain from further exacerbating the situation.
All nine Indigenous tribes in South Dakota have banned Noem from entering their lands following her controversial comments about tribal leaders allegedly profiting from Mexican drug cartels. The tribes were deeply offended by her remarks and have taken this step to show their disapproval.
A Noem comeback?
According to Hager, although the story about the dog has received widespread attention across the country, as has Noem’s account in her book where she inaccurately described a meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, the governor has overcome criticism in the past.
According to the speaker, South Dakota is no stranger to controversy or criticism, and Governor Kristi Noem has faced her fair share of both. However, the speaker believes that Governor Noem has always been able to overcome these challenges and bounce back. Therefore, the speaker does not believe that the recent events will have a long-term negative impact on Governor Noem.
Back in August, the governor was considered as a potential presidential candidate. However, she acknowledged that beating the former president, who was leading the Republican primary at the time, would be a difficult feat.
During her time, she acknowledged winning all of her statewide elections while also commending Trump’s accomplishments for South Dakota as president and emphasized that he allowed her to execute her duties effectively. She further expressed her admiration towards Trump’s inspirational leadership, highlighting the fact that people always showed up to hear something fascinating from him.
In September, Noem joined forces with Trump in South Dakota and praised him as a “leader” and a “fighter.” She made it clear that she would do everything in her power to assist him in winning the presidential election in 2024.
When Trump received her endorsement, he expressed his gratitude and acknowledged her success as a governor, stating that she was one of the most accomplished governors in the country.
In an instant, Noem has expressed her willingness to be Trump’s running mate.
In September, during a Newsmax appearance, Noem stated that for Trump to regain the White House, he requires a strong partner. She emphasized the importance of someone who has experience in business, as well as being an employee and understanding the value of earning a paycheck. Noem also expressed that having the perspective of a wife, mom, and grandma would only be an added advantage.
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