South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem’s new book, “No Going Back: The Truth on What’s Wrong with Politics and How We Move America Forward,” has come under scrutiny for inaccuracies. Noem claimed to have met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during her time in Congress, but her office clarified that the meeting was an error. The book is seen as a way for Noem to position herself as a potential running mate for Donald Trump, but her political prospects have been tarnished by controversy surrounding her account of shooting her hunting dog, Cricket, after it killed her neighbor’s chickens.
After reports surfaced questioning the accuracy of Noem’s descriptions of meetings with world leaders, her spokesman Ian Fury acknowledged the errors and stated that they would be corrected in future editions of the book. In the book, Noem claimed to have met with Kim Jong Un during her tenure on the House Armed Services Committee, which was met with skepticism by experts in U.S.-North Korea relations. Noem also claimed to have been slated to meet French President Emmanuel Macron but canceled the meeting following comments she deemed as “pro-Hamas.”
Critics have raised doubts about the authenticity of Noem’s accounts in her book, with former U.S. intelligence officer Syd Seiler noting that there is no record of a congressional meeting between Noem and Kim Jong Un. While Noem did participate in an international congressional trip to Japan, South Korea, and China, there is no evidence to support her claim of meeting with the North Korean dictator. Similarly, Macron’s office stated that no direct invitation had been extended to Noem to meet the French president, casting further doubt on the accuracy of her narrative.
In response to the backlash, Noem has defended her actions, particularly the shooting of her hunting dog, Cricket, and a goat. Despite criticism from both sides of the political spectrum, Noem has pushed back against what she perceives as biased media coverage. Her spokesman, Fury, accused the media of blowing minor errors in the book out of proportion while downplaying false claims made by President Joe Biden. Nevertheless, members of Congress, including both Democrats and Republicans, have mocked Noem by forming a Congressional Dog Lovers Caucus, which humorously prohibits the killing of puppies.
As the controversy surrounding Noem’s book continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how it will impact her political future. Noem’s attempts to position herself as a strong candidate for a potential role within the Republican party have been overshadowed by inaccuracies in her storytelling and backlash from critics. The inaccuracies in her accounts of international meetings and the questionable decision to shoot her own hunting dog have raised concerns about her credibility and judgment, potentially affecting her standing within the party and her future political ambitions.
