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South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem’s recent social media posts documenting her visit to a Texas dental clinic to improve her smile have drawn criticism but also signal her strategic efforts to cultivate an image aligned with Donald Trump’s vision as she positions herself for a potential VP run.
Noem’s transformation from her early political career includes adopting longer hair, makeup and clothing styles mirroring Trump allies.
Experts say Noem’s “Miss America-like white femininity” mirrors Trump’s preferences and signals she won’t challenge him.
“It’s all about her appeal to an audience of one,” Republican strategist Ron Bonjean said. “The whole teeth thing almost looks like it was done for Trump to see. She is showing him she works well in front of the camera, that she has that star power he wants onstage with him, while fitting into the mode of women in the Trump universe.”
“She practically looks like a member of the Trump family,” Bonjean said. “Maybe a cousin.”
The dental procedure is seen as a further step in Noem’s “Trumpification” to fit into his orbit and convey she understands how to conduct herself to meet his needs.
While she promotes her grassroots image, Noem’s branding demonstrates she speaks Trump’s language and is fully committed to his agenda.
“It’s absolutely strategic,” Stanford University law professor Richard Thompson Ford said. Noem is “signaling that she’s going to be Trump’s kind of woman. And, at the same time, that she isn’t going to challenge him.”
“You’re not allowed to say it, so I will not. You’re not allowed to say she’s beautiful, so I’m not going to say it,” Trump said.
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