Just days before Gov. Kristi Noem, R, South Dakota, releases her memoir, the book is facing scrutiny over new allegations of spurious and unsettling claims. First, Noem faced criticism after admitting to shooting and killing her 14-month-old dog, Cricket, for misbehaving. Now, another claim that she met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un while in U.S. Congress is raising more eyebrows on Friday, May 3.
The claim in “No Going Back” has even been refuted by her own spokesperson. Noem’s spokesperson, Ian Fury, admitted that the meeting with Kim never happened.
“We’ve been made aware that the publisher will be addressing conflated world leaders’ names in the book before it is released,” Fury said.
Adding to the intrigue, an excerpt details a strange encounter with former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley. Noem describes a call where Haley allegedly offered mentorship but ended the phone call with what the South Dakota governor saw as a veiled threat.
Haley’s spokesperson refuted Noem’s account, stating that it was just a supportive call during a challenging time for Noem. Haley’s spokesperson also clarified that the conversation occurred in 2020, not in 2021, as written in the memoir.
When asked about the situation, Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Mass., contrasted Noem’s actions with his own past controversy, when he left his family dog on the roof of his vehicle during 12-hour trip.
“I didn’t shoot my dog. I loved my dog, and he loved me,” Romney said.
In an interview with Fox News, Noem maintained her only choice was to kill Cricket.
“It was a dog that was extremely dangerous,” Noem said. “It had come to us from a family that had found her way too aggressive.”
In response to the criticism, a bipartisan group of lawmakers formed the Dog Lovers Caucus, dubbed the “Paw-cus.” The caucus aims to bridge the political divide by championing legislation safeguarding the rights and well-being of dogs.
Noem had been floated as a possible running mate for former President Donald Trump, the GOP front-runner for president, come November, but the fallout from “No Going Back” could dash those dreams.