Politicians and dog experts are criticizing South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem after she wrote in a new book about killing a rambunctious puppy. The story — and the vilification she received on social media — has some wondering whether she’s still a viable potential running mate for presumptive Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump.
Experts who work with hunting dogs like Noem’s said she should have trained — not killed — the pup, or found other options if the dog was out of control.
Noem has tried to reframe the story from two decades ago as an example of her willingness to make tough decisions. She wrote on social media that the 14-month-old wirehaired pointer named Cricket had shown aggressive behavior by biting.
“As I explained in the book, it wasn’t easy,” she said on X. “But often the easy way isn’t the right way.”
Still, Democrats and even some conservatives have been critical.
Disagreed. This cements her as the front runner. She’s had the cosmetic surgery to give her that far-right plastic bimbo look, she’s cruel to animals and brags about it (Trump famously hates animals and pets), she’s a woman and someone who wont upstage him in the spotlight, she kisses his ass religiously, and she’s generating controversy to take away heat from whatever insane shit he’s doing this week. She’s the lock in. You think Trump gives a shit about traditional “electability?” It’s been clear since he started campaigning the second time that any and all guard rails that may have been there the first time around are gone. His entire platform is just cult of personality. There is no policy. He doesn’t care which traditional voter block she can attract/rebuff. She’ll be there to look pretty, back up everything he says, and not upstage him. Nothing else matters for him.