What happened
Consumer advocacy group Travelers United sued South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R) Wednesday, claiming an odd video testimonial she posted Monday about a Texas dental practice was an "undisclosed advertisement" amounting to "deceptive advertising practices." South Dakota state Sen. Reynold Nesiba (D) called for an inquiry into Noem's "infomercial" and whether her "very strange" promo for an out-of-state dentist used South Dakota government resources or violated a gift ban for state officials.
Who said what
"I love my new family at Smile Texas!" and "am so grateful for their help fixing my smile for me," Noem said above her five-minute testimonial. Noem is free to act like an "influencer" and "promote medical tourism on social media" for money and/or free or discounted service, but she has to "put 'Ad' as the first word in your caption to comply with the law," Travelers United said.
What next?
This is not the first time Noem has "faced ethics questions" as governor, AP said, but this time she is on former President Donald Trump's short list for running mate.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
Trump makes unmoored claims on Tylenol and autismSpeed Read No causal relationship has been established between autism and acetaminophen use during pregnancy
-
September 23 editorial cartoonsCartoons Tuesday’s political cartoons include Jimmy Kimmel's return, autism conspiracy theories, and soybean farmers pummeled by Donald Trump's tariffs
-
The Hoxton Edinburgh: history and style in the Scottish capitalThe Week Recommends The brand’s first UK hotel outside London is set across a series of pretty Georgian townhouses in the city’s Haymarket district
-
Trump DOJ shut bribery case against ally HomanSpeed read The Justice Department closed a bribery investigation into President Donald Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan
-
Charlie Kirk honored as ‘martyr’ at memorial rallySpeed Read At a service for the slain conservative activist, speakers included President Donald Trump and many top administration officials
-
Judge says DOJ misled to deport Guatemalan kidsSpeed read The Trump administration was barred from deporting hundreds of Guatemalan children
-
Trump asks Supreme Court to OK Cook ousterSpeed Read In his attempt to seize control of the US central bank, the president seeks permission to oust Federal Reserve Board Governor Lisa Cook
-
‘Democracy is under threat globally’Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Former top FBI agents sue, claiming Trump purgeSpeed Read The agents alleged they were targeted by a “campaign of retribution”
-
House posts lewd Epstein note attributed to TrumpSpeed Read The estate of Jeffrey Epstein turned over the infamous 2003 birthday note from President Donald Trump
-
Supreme Court allows 'roving' race-tied ICE raidsSpeed Read The court paused a federal judge's order barring agents from detaining suspected undocumented immigrants in LA based on race
