Gov. Noem’s Paris Meeting Disputed by French Official: Unverified Anecdote Raises Controversy

A recent claim made by South Dakota Republican Gov. Kristi Noem in her book “No Going Back” has been disputed by a French government official. In the book, Noem stated that she was scheduled to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron during a trip to Paris, but decided to cancel after he made what she considered to be a pro-Hamas and anti-Israel comment to the press. However, a representative from the Elysee Palace stated that there was no record of a scheduled meeting and they had not invited her.

In November last year, Noem visited Paris to speak at the Worldwide Freedom Initiative conference. Her spokesperson, Ian Fury, referred to a statement posted on X over the weekend, which mentioned that the governor had been invited to sit in Macron’s box for the Armistice Day parade at the Arc de Triomphe but chose to cancel after his comments about Israel.

This disputed anecdote adds to the controversy surrounding Noem’s book release. She previously revealed in the memoir that she once shot a puppy due to behavioral issues, a claim that garnered scrutiny. Noem also faced criticism for a questionable claim that she once met North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during her time in Congress. Despite initial suggestions that it was an error, she later dodged questions about the encounter, declining to provide a clear answer in multiple media appearances.

In addition to these revelations, Noem made other unusual statements in the book, including a story about almost causing harm to “so many people” by failing to check a hitch between a pickup truck and its trailer. Noem is considered a potential running mate for former President Donald Trump in the 2024 election