South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem greets former U.S. President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump before speaking at a South Dakota Republican Party rally in Rapid City, South Dakota, States -United States, September 8, 2023.
Jonathan Ernst | Reuters
South Dakota Republican Gov. Kristi Noem on Sunday attempted to turn a controversial anecdote about her puppy’s killing, revealed in her upcoming memoir, into an argument for her statecraft as she fights to become the Donald Trump’s choice for vice president.
A Friday report from the Guardian described excerpts from his memoir about his decisions to kill various animals on the family farm, including a 14-month-old puppy named Cricket and an unnamed goat.
“I can understand why some people are upset by a 20-year-old story about Cricket, one of our ranch’s working dogs,” Noem wrote in a statement. Message on Sunday. “Whether running the ranch or in politics, I have never handed over my responsibilities to anyone else. Even though it is hard and painful. I followed the law and was a parent , a dog owner and a responsible neighbor.”
Noem spent the weekend facing ridicule from both Democrats and Republicans since the anecdotes became public.
In both cases, she stood by her decision to put the animals down, saying Cricket had an “aggressive personality” and the goat was “mean and mean,” according to the Guardian report.
Noem’s defense on Sunday is a last-ditch effort to quell a wave of doubts about the situation as she fights for Trump’s vice presidential nomination against contenders like North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, the Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C. and Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y.
Over the past few days, figures across the political spectrum have taken to social media to comment on the controversy.
Right-wing media personality Laura Loomer said the anecdote would spell the end of Noem’s vice presidential aspirations.
“She can’t be vice president now,” Loomer said Friday. job. “You can’t shoot your dog and then become vice president.”
That of President Joe Biden The reelection campaign quickly seized the opportunity to launch a subtle dig Friday, releasing photos of Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris smiling with dogs.
Florida Governor and former GOP presidential candidate Ron DeSantis released a call to action for people to adopt rescue dogs.
Noem’s animal killing isn’t the first time she’s raised eyebrows in Washington.
In March, the governor of South Dakota released an infomercial-style video for a Texas dentist appearing to act as a business testimonial for the company, despite holding public office.
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