Kristi Noem, South Park, and the Unforgettable Puppy Controversy

The latest season of South Park has sparked another tempest, this time targeting Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem with a cruel satire that exacerbated an already alarming disclosure from her biography. The show's most recent episode, "Got a Nut," premiered on August 6, 2025, and instantly became a talking point, not only for its political digs at Donald Trump and JD Vance, but also for its brutal depiction of Noem's controversial dog shooting.

Before South Park got in, Noem's book, No Going Back: The Truth About What's Wrong with Politics and How We Can Move America Forward, sparked a huge outcry. The memoir, released in May 2024, includes explicit information regarding her choice to kill her 14-month-old wirehair pointer, Cricket, as well as a goat.

The Origins of Outrage: Kristi Noem's Memoir and the Dog Shooting

Cricket the Dog: The Full Account of 'No Going Back'

In her book, Kristi Noem describes taking Cricket, a young hunting dog, on a pheasant hunt. However, the dog was "out of her mind with excitement," disrupting the hunt by chasing birds. Noem attempted to control Cricket with an electronic collar, but it proved futile. On the drive home, Cricket fled Noem's truck and killed a nearby family's hens, "crunching it to death with one bite, then dropping it to attack another." Noem characterized Cricket as a "trained assassin" and claimed the dog "whipped around to bite me" when she attempted to interfere.

This series of events brought Noem to a terrible conclusion: "I realized I had to put her down." She lured Cricket into a gravel pit and shot the dog. Noem also slaughtered an unnamed male goat that day, describing him as "nasty and mean," smelling "disgusting, musky, rancid," and prone to chase her youngsters. After the initial shot failed to kill the goat, it was reportedly killed twice. Noem stated that a construction team witnessed both killings, and that shortly after, a school bus arrived to drop off her children, with her daughter inquiring, "Hey, where's Cricket?"

Noem explained that she included these experiences to demonstrate her willingness to make "difficult, messy, and ugly" decisions in politics and life. However, the immediate popular reaction to these disclosures, even before the book's official release, was extremely negative. Critics from all sides of politics accused her of animal cruelty. The Guardian's commentary emphasized the violation of the human-animal link, stating that "Cricket's death made headlines even before Noem's book came out, and shocked readers from across the political spectrum and across demographics, including those of urban and rural."

South Park's Ruthless Take: Satire, Immigration, and Puppy Murder.

South Park Episode: 'Got a Nut' and Its Key Moments

South Park's "Got a Nut" episode, which aired on August 6, 2025, didn't hold back. In the episode, Mr. Mackey joins Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) following federal budget cuts. As part of his ICE orientation, a cartoon version of Kristi Noem arrives and provides an instructive video. In this video, Noem's character says, "A few years ago, I had to put my puppy down by shooting it in the face, because sometimes doing what's important means doing what's hard," before going on to shoot many dogs.

The episode also mocks Noem's appearance, showing her with excessive Botox and a melting face that at one point slides off her head. Her persona is shown leading ICE raids against Hispanic people, with the statement, "Only detain the brown ones!" "If it's brown, it goes down." The episode ends with Noem's character shooting Krypto, Superman's dog, in a gravel pit.

Kristi Noem's Defiant Response and Public Backlash

Noem's Interview With Glenn Beck: Key Takeaways

Kristi Noem swiftly reacted to her portrayal in South Park. Noem told Glenn Beck on his radio show on August 7, 2025, that she hadn't seen the episode because she was "going over budget numbers and stuff." Despite not having watched it, she blasted the show's makers.

It never ends, yet it's so lazy to repeatedly make fun of women for their appearance.

Noem continued, "It's always liberals and fanatics who do it. If they wanted to criticize my work, they could, but they clearly can't; instead, they choose something trivial." She also reaffirmed her explanation of the dog shooting, citing South Dakota laws.

South Dakota law specifies that dogs that attack and kill animals may be put down. Given Cricket's aggressive tendency of biting others, I chose what to do.

DHS and JD Vance: Differing Responses to the Satire

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) had an interesting reaction. Before the episode aired, DHS's official X account used a screenshot from a South Park teaser featuring ICE officers to boost recruiting, linked to JOIN.ICE.GOV. This elicited a harsh response from the show's official account.

Wait, so we're relevant? #eatabagofdicks

Vice President JD Vance, who was humiliated throughout the incident, had a different response. Vance, who is portrayed as a "manbaby" asking if he should "apply the baby oil to Satan's ahole" for President Trump, seemed to have accepted the satire.

So, I finally made it.

This reply from Vance contrasts with Noem's more defensive position and demonstrates the many ways in which public figures handle satire.

Beyond the Headlines: The broader impact on Noem's political future.

The dispute over Kristi Noem's memoir and the ensuing South Park episode has serious consequences for her political future. Prior to the dog shooting event, Noem was considered a strong candidate for Donald Trump's Vice President pick in the 2024 election. However, the gory revelations concerning Cricket and the goat, combined with her strong response, have sparked bipartisan outrage.

Political commentators speculate that the dog-killing tale may have "killed her vice presidential hopes." The enormous outcry, especially within conservative groups, suggests a mistake about how the article would be received. The tragedy has eclipsed her policy positions and autobiography, making her more associated with the animal abuse debate.

Why Did The 'Dog Story' Go Viral? Understanding Public Reaction

Public Perception and Online Discourse

Cricket the dog's story sparked widespread outrage, regardless of social or political affiliation. This reaction extends beyond usual political conflicts. Dogs have a particular role in many cultures, and they are typically regarded as family members. The act of killing a young, "untrainable" dog, especially given the vivid facts Noem revealed, touched a raw nerve.

Noem's "hate" for Cricket and framing the act as a display of toughness, rather than a tragic necessity, stoked the flames even more. For many, it undermined the fundamental relationship of trust and compassion that comes with pet ownership. This emotional response transcends political affiliation, as seen by the rapid condemnation of both Democrats and Republicans.

Historical Background: Politicians and Controversial Animal Stories

While the Noem issue is notable for its gory nature, politicians facing scrutiny over animal-related occurrences is not uncommon. Richard Nixon drew criticism in 1952 for owning a dog named Checkers, despite the fact that he famously kept the dog. Mitt Romney was criticised in 2012 for tying his dog, Seamus, to the roof of his car while on a road trip. However, Romney himself acknowledged the distinction, saying, "I didn't shoot my dog."

The intensity of the response to Noem's narrative demonstrates a social shift in how animals, particularly pets, are perceived. Public people are increasingly being held accountable for their treatment of animals, as these stories frequently expose perceived character faults or a lack of empathy. The Noem event, heightened by South Park's sharp satire, serves as a striking reminder of the changing public sensitivity.