When Donald Trump ran for President of the United States in 2016, Kristi Noem had already been serving in congress for five years as a representative for South Dakota. Despite backlash the presidential candidate received for comments he made about women, Noem offered her forgiveness and her vote. It was the beginning of a back-and-forth trend that would continue.
When Noem decided to run for governor of South Dakota in 2018, it was Trump’s turn to show his support. Taking time away from the Oval Office, he stopped in her home state to give a speech and give his endorsement. “Kristi is a very special person, she’s extraordinary,” he told the crowd, as reported by Washington Post. “I’ve dealt with her. She is tough. She’s strong. She’s nice.”
When Trump lost the presidential election in 2020 and claimed election fraud, Noem was right there to back him up, posting on social media about his fight against “rigged election systems,” and asserting to ABC News there actually was evidence of fraud. Although her declarations did not help Trump overturn the election results, he still stood by Noem during her governor re-election campaign in 2022, releasing a statement that endorsed her run. While there were rumors Noem might be throwing her own hat into the ring for president in 2024, it appears as if the two may have decided instead to mutually support each other while campaigning for Trump’s presidency.
