South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem has inexplicably removed two official state-affiliated social media accounts, sparking speculation about the reasons behind the sudden move.
Republican Governor Kristi Noem of South Dakota has raised eyebrows by deactivating two state-affiliated social media accounts without providing an explanation.
The official @govkristinoem Twitter account and her Gov. Noem Facebook account have both vanished, with the latter now displaying a message stating, "This content isn't available right now."
Governor Kristi Noem Abruptly Deactivates State Social Media Accounts
The move has prompted questions about Noem's intentions, as it is customary for elected officials to maintain separate social media accounts for official duties and personal or political purposes.
State Representative Tony Venhuizen expressed uncertainty about the reason for the account closures, noting the common practice of differentiating between official and personal content.
Governor Kristi Noem Abruptly Deactivates State Social Media Accounts
"On a political or personal account, you can offer an opinion or promote campaign events, whereas on the official account, you're going to be providing information about the action of state government," Venhuizen said.
Prior to their deactivation, Noem's state-affiliated social media accounts had amassed a significant following. Her Twitter account boasted over 700,000 followers, capturing attention during the COVID-19 pandemic for its pro-open stance.
Governor Kristi Noem Abruptly Deactivates State Social Media Accounts
Noem's office has remained silent on the matter, despite repeated attempts by Fox News Digital to obtain an explanation. Instead, the office has directed inquiries to a new Twitter account, @GovNoemOffice.
Created this month, the new account primarily shares press releases from the governor's office.
Governor Kristi Noem Abruptly Deactivates State Social Media Accounts
Noem's personal social media accounts, @KristiNoem on Twitter and her personal Facebook page, remain active.
The governor recently faced public backlash after an excerpt from her memoir, "No Going Back," revealed that she had killed an unruly farm dog over 20 years ago. Noem defended her actions, citing the dog's aggression towards humans.
The sudden deactivation of Noem's state social media accounts has become a topic of discussion among political observers, leaving many wondering about the motivations behind the move.
Some speculate that Noem may be seeking to distance herself from controversial past actions, while others suggest it could be a strategic move to consolidate her social media presence under a single account.
As of now, the reasons for the account closures remain unknown, with Noem's office declining to comment.
