South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem faced immediate backlash after revealing in her latest book that she euthanized her 14-month-old dog, Cricket. This criticism came not only from her Democratic opponents but also from key figures within former President Donald Trump's circle, including Steve Bannon and Donald Trump Jr.
During a segment on Donald Trump Jr.'s show "Triggered," Bannon criticized Noem, calling her "a little too based," a term often used on the right to describe someone who speaks and acts without concern for political correctness. Trump Jr. also expressed his disapproval, stating that shooting the dog "was not ideal." The discussion shifted to the topic of vice presidential selection, with Trump Jr. suggesting that the process should be expedited to have a candidate defend Trump in the media during his legal battles. Bannon chimed in, mentioning there are numerous suitable candidates for Trump to choose from, expressing a preference for a female running mate.
Noem's book, "No Going Back: The Truth on What’s Wrong with Politics and How We Move America Forward," recounts that she euthanized Cricket after a pheasant hunt, according to the Guardian, which obtained an advance copy.
Cricket disrupted the hunt by becoming “excited, chasing all those birds and having the time of her life," Noem wrote. Then, on the way home, the dog killed a local family's chickens and tried to bite Noem when she intervened. "I hated that dog," Noem wrote.
She took Cricket to a gravel pit and euthanized her. That same day, Noem also euthanized a goat that was "nasty and mean."
The story of Cricket's euthanasia has drawn considerable backlash against Noem, including among conservatives and within the MAGA universe. "Wow. No coming back from this. This is so heartless," far-right activist Laura Loomer wrote on X.
Noem defended her actions, writing on X last week that "We love animals, but tough decisions like this happen all the time on a farm."
Bannon and Trump Jr. are particularly influential in Trump's MAGA movement. Their concerns about Noem's decision could be a bad sign for her vice presidential prospects.
Trump Jr. told the New York Post he's been pushing his dad to pick a running mate like Ohio U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, or media personality Tucker Carlson, saying he wants someone who will be a "fighter."