Fact Check: "Noem spent over $150,000 in taxpayer money on personal trips."
What We Know
An analysis by the Associated Press revealed that South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem's travel expenses exceeded $150,000, which were largely funded by taxpayers. This figure encompasses costs associated with her political and personal activities, including trips to locations like Palm Beach, Florida, where former President Donald Trump resided during that time (AP News). The expenses covered by the state included security costs that accompanied Noem on these trips, regardless of whether they were for official state business or personal engagements (AP News).
The records released following a lawsuit indicated that over her six years in office, Noem's travel-related costs amounted to more than $640,000, with specific instances such as a $7,555 airfare for a trip to Paris and $2,200 for dental work in Houston (AP News). Critics, including some Republican lawmakers, expressed outrage over the use of state funds for what they perceived as Noem's personal ambitions (AP News).
Analysis
The claim that Noem spent over $150,000 in taxpayer money on personal trips is substantiated by the findings of the Associated Press, which conducted a thorough analysis of travel records. The credibility of the Associated Press as a source is high, given its reputation for journalistic integrity and fact-checking. The report highlights that a significant portion of Noem's travel expenses was not related to official state business, raising questions about the appropriateness of using taxpayer funds for personal or political travel (AP News).
Furthermore, the lack of transparency regarding the financing of these trips, as noted by critics and former officials, adds to the concern over the ethical implications of such expenditures. Noem's spokesperson acknowledged that while some travel expenses were covered by the state, the governor personally paid for travel that was strictly political or personal in nature (AP News). However, the distinction between state business and personal trips remains murky, particularly given the substantial amount of taxpayer money involved.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that Kristi Noem spent over $150,000 in taxpayer money on personal trips is accurate based on the analysis of travel records by the Associated Press. The evidence indicates that a significant portion of her travel expenses was not related to official state duties, and the use of taxpayer funds for personal or political activities raises ethical concerns. The transparency issues surrounding these expenditures further support the validity of the claim.
Sources
- Kristi Noem refused to say who financed some of her travel. ... (https://apnews.com/article/noem-travel-taxpayers-south-dakota-homeland-security-c2655e00a16d44bba46c60a14a638f5d)
- Kristi Noem Secretly Pocketed Cash From Dark Money Group (https://www.yahoo.com/news/kristi-noem-secretly-pocketed-cash-150251993.html)
- Kristi Noem Refused to Say Who Financed Some of Her ... (https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/south-dakota/articles/2025-03-29/kristi-noem-refused-to-say-who-financed-some-of-her-travel-it-was-taxpayers-who-were-on-the-hook)
