Kristi Noem is facing another round of backlash after sharing photos from one of her latest hunting trips on Instagram.
The former Homeland Security secretary posted several pictures of herself dressed in full camouflage gear and posing beside an elk she killed during an archery hunt, which she described as a “super fun hunt” where the “strategy and work paid off.” While Kristi appeared excited to share the experience, the graphic images quickly drew criticism from Instagram users who said they were disturbed by the sight of the dead animal and questioned why she chose to post the hunting photos.
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'ICE Barbie' Kristi Noem Posts Controversial Image From Hunting Grounds
Kristi Noem, who has frequently faced controversy throughout her political career, is once again at the center of criticism following her latest social media post.
For her latest hunting post, the 54-year-old leaned fully into an outdoorsy look in her new Instagram photos, wearing dark, camouflage clothing and a baseball cap as she posed alongside a deceased, large elk. In the photos, she can be seen kneeling beside the animal and smiling with members of her hunting party, with the elk's large antlers and her bow prominently visible.
"Finally had a little time to post a few pictures of my archery elk," she wrote in her caption. "Super fun hunt with Patrick, Randy, Jason, and Taylor. The strategy and work paid off, and I'm so grateful for their help and friendship."
Instagram Users Slam Kristi's Hunting Photos In the Comments
The hunting carousel quickly sparked a wave of criticism from Instagram users, with many saying they were uncomfortable seeing the dead elk displayed in multiple photos. The post was also flagged as sensitive content on Instagram, and commenters questioned why the former political figure would publicly celebrate the killing of such a large animal.
Some commenters argued that the animal should not have been treated like a trophy, while others criticized her decision to share graphic images of the hunt at all. The backlash became significant enough that Kristi responded in the comments, defending hunting and arguing that the elk would provide food for her family and others.
"You are killing innocent creatures just for fun?" asked a user. "Animals feel pain, love, and fear. Just like we do. Ending an innocent life is not a sport; it is an act of cruelty."
"I'm a Conservative Republican; however, I don't condone this unnecessary killing," wrote another.
"That is disturbing," one user wrote, as another added, "I'm unfollowing. It's terrible."
