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Kristi Noem Faces Criticism Over Instagram Portrait Poll as Texas Flood Death Toll Rises

The move highlights her reliance on branded spectacle over hands-on disaster response.

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Overview

  • On July 8, Noem posted an Instagram poll inviting followers to choose among three horseback portraits for her official South Dakota governor’s portrait.
  • The timing drew backlash as Texas floodwaters had claimed over 100 lives and relief operations were underway.
  • Critics linked the poll to her reputational pattern of prioritizing visual branding—dubbed “Cowgirl Barbie”—over substantive crisis leadership.
  • Social media users drew parallels to earlier controversies, including her wearing a $50,000 Rolex in a Salvadoran prison, mishandled firearm use during an ICE raid, and her memoir admission of shooting her dog.
  • The episode has intensified scrutiny of Noem’s tenure as Homeland Security Secretary and raised questions about her management style and emergency priorities.