South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem (R) is facing backlash after a surprising anecdote from her upcoming book circulated in recent days.
One of Trump’s allies expressed their opinion on Noem’s vice presidential prospects, stating that she is “DOA.”
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Kristi Noem, a former congresswoman who secured a second term as governor in 2022, has long been regarded as one of the leading candidates to potentially serve as Vice President under Trump.
She endorsed Trump early on and was considered one of the top choices for his vice presidential pick, alongside entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy. In fact, in a straw poll conducted at February’s Conservative Political Action Conference, she and Ramaswamy were tied for the top choice. Additionally, she campaigned with Trump in Ohio in March.
She has played a leading role in championing significant conservative causes, taking proactive measures such as deploying National Guard forces to the southern border and enacting laws to limit abortion and prohibit gender-affirming care, among other notable actions.
However, Republican strategists and Trump allies believe that some of the excitement around her potential has diminished due to her own mistakes and controversies.
According to a Republican strategist, the decision made by the individual in question has essentially removed themselves from consideration for the position of Vice President.
The strategist expressed their disbelief and pointed out several issues with the dog story at various levels. They were particularly perplexed by the fact that Noem had ample time to write, edit, and publish the book, yet chose to include the story of shooting the dog in the final draft.
In an excerpt from “No Going Back,” Noem shares a heart-wrenching account of the difficult decision she faced when her 14-month-old dog exhibited aggressive behavior and killed a local family’s chickens. Despite the pain it caused her, she ultimately made the difficult choice of shooting and killing her beloved pet.
Noem has presented the story in her book and on social media as a way to showcase her leadership qualities.
According to The Guardian, Noem wrote, “I suppose if I were a more skilled politician, I wouldn’t share this story here.”
Defending her actions and decision to publicize the story, Noem took to social media on Sunday in response to the bipartisan backlash.
In a recent post on the social platform X, Noem shared that her book is a collection of genuine stories from her life, encompassing both the highs and lows, the obstacles faced, difficult choices made, and the valuable lessons learned along the way.
According to Kristi Noem, her years of public service, particularly her experience in guiding South Dakota during the COVID pandemic, have taught her the importance of being an authentic leader who is open to learning from past experiences and is not afraid to take on difficult challenges.
Democratic governors took a jab at Noem, playfully mocking her by sharing photos of their own pets. The caption accompanying these photos read, “Post a picture with your dog that doesn’t involve shooting them and throwing them in a gravel pit.”
In a shocking revelation, Alyssa Farah Griffin, a former spokesperson for Trump, expressed her horror over the anecdote on X.
During a press conference on Monday, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre expressed her sadness regarding the story but chose not to provide any further comments.
Noem has been in the national spotlight before, and the latest controversy is just another example of her attracting attention.
Earlier this month, four Native American tribes in the state made the decision to bar her from their reservations. This action was taken in response to her comments, where she insinuated that some tribal leaders were personally benefiting from the presence of Mexican drug cartels.
South Dakota Governor, Kristi Noem, faced criticism when she shared a five-minute video on social media in March. The video served as an infomercial for a cosmetic dentist in Texas, where she had received dental work done. It is worth noting that South Dakota law prohibits public officials from accepting gifts valued at more than $100 from lobbyists.
Governor’s penchant for seeking attention may ultimately hinder her relationship with Trump, as his allies insist that he does not want to be outshined by his future running mate.
According to a Republican strategist who spoke to The Hill, it is crucial for the chosen candidate to maintain a sense of stability and avoid any unnecessary drama. The ultimate goal is to find a reliable individual who can potentially become the party’s leader in the future.
According to Michael Card, an associate professor of political science at the University of South Dakota, Governor Kristi Noem’s recent controversy stands out from her previous ones due to the widespread emotional connection that Americans have with the loss of a pet.
“It tackles a topic that resonates with everyone. We have all experienced the loss of a beloved pet or have witnessed someone going through that painful experience,” Card expressed.
According to Card, Noem, who secured a resounding victory with 62 percent of the vote in the 2022 reelection, would have a strong chance of success if she were to run for another statewide position in the deeply conservative state. However, due to term limits, Noem will be unable to seek reelection when her current term concludes in 2026.
Instead, she could potentially be positioned for an ambassadorship or some other significant role in a potential second Trump administration. Alternatively, she may also be considered for another influential position within the realm of GOP politics.
Noem’s vice presidential prospects have been significantly impacted, as she was previously considered a potential running mate who could strengthen Trump’s support among the evangelical base and address concerns regarding his age and treatment of women.
According to Card, the impact of this situation on her ability to gather votes was already quite limited, and he believes that this latest development will not significantly improve the situation.
