Mary Trump, the estranged niece of Donald Trump, has suggested that South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem’s actions, in which she reportedly revealed in a book she wrote that she fatally shot her 14-month old dog, will appeal to the former president. The British newspaper The Guardian published an excerpt of Noem’s book, in which she shared an account of shooting the dog named Cricket. Noem described Cricket as having an aggressive personality and being untrainable. She brought Cricket on a pheasant hunt with older dogs to teach it how to behave. However, Cricket became excited during the hunt, chased birds, and attacked a family’s chickens on the way home. Noem ultimately shot Cricket after it attempted to bite her, as reported in the excerpt.
Although Noem is a close ally of Trump and has been considered a potential vice-presidential pick for him in 2024, her chances have decreased following the publication of the excerpt about her dog. Mary Trump criticized Noem’s actions on social media, suggesting that the governor’s willingness to share the story of shooting her dog was an attempt to appeal to Trump. Since the publication of the excerpt, Polymarket, a platform for placing bets on world events, has lowered Noem’s chances of becoming Trump’s running mate. Despite the criticism received from some high-profile Republicans, including former White House officials, Noem defended her decision, stating that such tough decisions are common on a farm and that they recently had to put down three horses that had been in the family for 25 years.
The excerpt from Noem’s book has sparked controversy and divided opinions, particularly among animal lovers and Republican officials. Alyssa Farah Griffin, a former Trump White House official, expressed horror at the account of shooting the 14-month old dog, emphasizing that proper training could have prevented such a tragedy. Another former White House official, Sarah Matthews, questioned why Noem would choose to include such a story in her book, suggesting that it reflects a lack of empathy or moral judgment. Despite the backlash, Noem defended her decision, explaining that tough choices like putting down animals are not uncommon on a farm.
The fallout from Noem’s revelation about shooting her dog has raised questions about her judgment and empathy, especially among potential supporters or allies. Mary Trump’s criticism of Noem’s actions reflects a broader concern about ethical behavior and the treatment of animals. As the controversy unfolds, it remains to be seen how Noem’s reputation and political aspirations will be impacted by the decision to share this story in her book. The response from both supporters and critics highlights the importance of ethical considerations, especially in the context of public figures and their actions.
