The joke made by comedian Matt Friend at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, referencing South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem’s account of euthanizing her dog, Cricket, has stirred controversy and sparked criticism from both Democrats and Republicans.
During his impersonation of former President Donald Trump, Friend made a quip about Noem’s admission, suggesting that he was “killing” the dinner harder than Noem killed her puppies. This joke, delivered in the context of current events, received a mixed reaction from the audience.
Noem’s account of the incident involving her dog Cricket, as detailed in her book, describes a hunting trip gone awry, culminating in the decision to euthanize the animal due to its aggressive behavior. Additionally, Noem recounts a similar incident involving a male goat on her family’s farm, which also resulted in euthanasia.
Kristi Noem (Credits: The Hill)
The excerpts from Noem’s book have sparked immediate criticism on social media, with some condemning her actions as cruel and inhumane. Rick Wilson of the Lincoln Project, a conservative group critical of Trump, denounced Noem’s handling of the situation, labeling her actions as “deliberately cruel.”
In response to the backlash, Noem defended her decision, stating that tough decisions like euthanizing animals are a common occurrence on a farm. She cited a recent incident involving the euthanasia of three horses that had been in her family for 25 years as an example.
Kristi Noem (Credits: CBS News)
The controversy surrounding Noem’s account highlights the sensitive nature of discussions regarding animal welfare and euthanasia.
While some may view Noem’s actions as necessary given the circumstances, others argue that there are more humane methods of dealing with aggressive animals. The debate underscores the problems of ethical decision-making in situations involving the welfare of animals.
