Unexpected End to Kristi Noem's Book Tour Due to 'Bad Weather'

Written by Philip Wegmann via RealClear Wire

South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem's Book Tour Cut Short

South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem has abruptly ended her book tour following a wave of criticism for her account of shooting a misbehaving puppy and unverified claims of meeting North Korean leader Kim Jung Un, as first reported by RealClearPolitics. Noem's book, "No Going Back," was released on Tuesday. Noem had been conducting in-person interviews in New York and was set to travel to Washington, D.C., later in the week before she called off the tour, citing bad weather.

Inclement Weather Forces Return to South Dakota

"Governor Noem has sold a lot of books on this tour and is back in South Dakota to be prepared for some potential emerging bad weather systems," spokesperson Ian Fury informed RCP. Tornadoes were reported in the state on Monday, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Noem conducted interviews in New York on Monday and Tuesday before returning home. Noem was scheduled to meet with RealClearPolitics on Thursday before her team canceled the interview and declined to offer her for a phone interview.

Noem's Rising Star Dimmed

Once seen as a rising star in conservative politics, Noem found herself the butt of jokes within a week. She provided all the material. "We were supposed to have Governor Kristi Noem on the show tonight, but she canceled. Her staff blamed bad weather," Greg Gutfeld quipped Tuesday night. "We go to locals for reaction." The Fox News comedian then cut to a clip of barking dogs.

Controversial Book Excerpts Overshadow National Audition

Noem's book, which she described as "a how-to guide" for political activism, was published in the midst of speculation about her potentially joining former President Trump on the GOP ticket. However, an excerpt leaked to The Guardian turned what was supposed to be a national audition into a spectacle overshadowed by the governor's shocking personal stories.

Noem's Controversial Past Actions

In her book, Noem recounts taking a 14-month-old dog to a gravel pit on her property after the poorly trained animal ruined a pheasant hunt and attacked a neighbor's chickens. She killed the puppy, named "Cricket," with a shotgun. After dealing with the dog, she turned her attention to a misbehaving goat. Noem fired a shot, but the goat jumped. She writes in her memoir that she left the goat tied up, got more ammo, then "rushed back to the gravel pit and put him down."

Continued Book Tour Despite Criticism

Despite mounting criticism, Noem proceeded with her tour, sitting down with Margaret Brennan of CBS News on Sunday. She insisted that the story from 20 years ago demonstrated her ability to make tough decisions.

Controversial Comments About President Biden’s Dog

In her book, Noem also seemed to make a joke about euthanizing President Biden’s dog, Commander, who was removed from the White House grounds after several biting incidents.

Unverified Claims About Meeting Kim Jung Un

Perhaps more damaging was Noem's claim about traveling to North Korea and meeting Kim Jung Un while she served on the House Armed Services Committee in Congress.

Removal of North Korean Anecdote from Future Printings

The book's publisher, Center Street, announced that future printings of the book would not include the reference. An audiobook, which the governor narrated, is also expected to be edited and updated. The passage in question is brief and lacks detail.

Noem's Ambitions for National Office

Before the book tour, Noem made no secret of her aspirations for national office. She was quick to criticize those challenging Trump for the nomination, and in February, the governor traveled to Mar-a-Lago to meet with Trump and pitch him on joining the ticket.

Impact of Controversy on Noem's Political Aspirations

Noem is now haunted by the dog she killed two decades ago. During a Tuesday interview with Stuart Varney on Fox Business, the governor became impatient with the host when he kept returning the conversation to how the dead puppy affected her chances at the vice presidency.

Conclusion

The abrupt end to Governor Noem's book tour raises questions about the impact of her controversial actions and statements on her political aspirations. What do you think about this article? Share your thoughts with your friends and sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is every day at 6 pm.