South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, rumored to be a potential running mate for presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, is being sued for making an “undisclosed advertisement” for a Houston-area dentistry firm called Smile Texas.
The lawsuit, filed Wednesday by the non-profit advocacy group Travelers United, claims that a nearly five-minute-long video Noem participated in violated consumer protection laws, The Hill reported
Noem posted the video to X on Monday evening, offering words of endorsement including, “I love that my bite is better, that my teeth are in better shape, that they feel better in my mouth.
“I love my new family at Smile Texas!” she said in the caption.
I love my new family at Smile Texas! The video says it all, and I am so grateful for their help fixing my smile for me. 😊🙌🏼😊 pic.twitter.com/z2kTmiY8td
— Kristi Noem (@KristiNoem) March 12, 2024
Noem went on to explain that her teeth needed an “adjustment” after an injury she suffered in a biking accident years ago, and the video concludes on an image of the Smile Texas logo.
In its new suit, Travelers United argues that a politician who travels from their home state of South Dakota to Texas to receive dental work — and who later films an advertisement for the practice — is likely receiving “some form of compensation.”
According to federal records, Drs. Rick Kline and Bret Davis, who work at Smile Texas, have both donated to Republican candidates in the past, but not specifically to Noem, CNN reported.
“Unfortunately Noem did not mark this as an ‘Ad’ or ‘Advertisement’ when posting so she is participating in an unfair and deceptive practice,” the lawsuit states.
Travelers United is demanding that Noem pay unspecified damages and appropriately label all future content as an advertisement if it falls under that category.
The video drew bewildered reactions online.
“Wait I’m confused did the Governor of South Dakota just film an infomercial for the dentist that did her veneers?” read one popular comment on X.
“Are you even allowed to do this type of stuff while holding public office?” asked another.
