South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem has sparked widespread disbelief and ridicule with extraordinary anecdotes in her forthcoming memoir, including a claim that she once swam with alligators and a bizarre suggestion that airports could use ice to deter migrants.
Questionable Claims Raise Eyebrows
In excerpts obtained by The Guardian, Noem recounts an implausible story about swimming with reptiles during a visit to a Texas ranch. "I've been face to face with an alligator," she writes. "I've been up close and personal with them." Wildlife experts have questioned the veracity of her account, noting alligators are highly dangerous predators.
Controversial Immigration Proposal
The Republican governor doubles down on hardline immigration rhetoric with an unusual proposal: "Why not just fly the people to Alcatraz and leave them there?" She also suggests airports could spray water to create icy conditions that would make runways inhospitable to migrants.
Political Backlash Grows
Political opponents have seized on the revelations, with Democratic strategist Lis Smith tweeting: "Kristi Noem's book reads like a rejected SNL sketch." The controversy comes as Noem positions herself as a potential vice presidential candidate in 2024.
Fact-Checking Falls Short
Several claims in Noem's book appear factually dubious. Her Alcatraz proposal ignores the island's status as a national park, while aviation experts dismissed her airport ice idea as both impractical and dangerous to flight operations.
