Former President Donald Trump has come to the defense of North Dakota Governor Kristi Noem after she faced backlash for disclosing that she shot and killed a family dog. Trump expressed support for Noem during an appearance on the Clay Travis and Buck Sexton podcast, stating that “we all have bad weeks.” Noem revealed in her new book, “No Going Back,” that she killed a puppy named Cricket because it was bad at hunting and attacked a family friend’s chickens. She described the dog as “less than worthless” and recounted taking it to a gravel pit to shoot it.
The revelation about the family dog dominated the publicity tour for Noem’s book, with the governor facing tough questions about the incident during national interviews on CBS Mornings, Face the Nation, and Fox Business Network. Despite the criticism, Trump praised Noem as “terrific” and acknowledged that she had a difficult week. He also addressed another controversial anecdote in Noem’s book, where she described meeting North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un. Noem admitted that the story “should not have been in the book” but refused to provide further details during her interviews.
Trump, who is rumored to be considering Noem as a potential running mate, defended her handling of the situation, attributing the criticism to the challenges of writing a book with the help of ghostwriters. He suggested that perhaps the North Korea anecdote was included without proper vetting. Despite the negative attention, Trump commended Noem for her performance prior to the incident, noting that “she was doing incredibly well” until the controversy arose. He emphasized that everyone has difficult moments and urged understanding for Noem’s situation.
The former president’s comments reflect a broader debate over Noem’s actions and decision-making as a public figure. While some may view the shooting of a family pet as controversial and inhumane, others have expressed support for Noem in light of the circumstances she described. The incident has sparked discussions about ethics, responsibility, and leadership, particularly in the context of seeking higher political office. Trump’s defense of Noem suggests that he sees potential in her as a future partner in his political endeavors, despite the challenges she has faced.
As Noem continues to navigate the fallout from her book and the media scrutiny surrounding her actions, it remains to be seen how this incident will impact her political career and potential aspirations. The controversy has exposed a vulnerable side of the governor and raised questions about her judgment and decision-making abilities. Moving forward, Noem may need to address these concerns and demonstrate resilience in the face of adversity as she considers her next steps in the public sphere.
