‘It’s a Simple Question!’ CBS Anchor Loses Patience With Kristi Noem Repeatedly Dodging On Whether She Met Kim Jong Un
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R) continued her book tour on Monday after being grilled over the weekend, and the grilling only heated up more.
On CBS Mornings, anchor Natalie Morales asked Noem about the dubious passage about her meeting North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un while she was a member of Congress, a claim that many called into question once previews of the book were made available. Noem was asked about this on Face the Nation and deferred blame to the media despite being asked about her own words — but Noem never provided an answer as to why she included the story if it wasn’t accurate.
On Monday, she still didn’t provide an answer, and Morales seemed to lose her patience:
Morales: Specifically, when you write in the book: “I remember when I met with North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un. I’m sure he underestimated me.” That, as I understand, is now being removed from the book at your request.
Noem: Yes, and I became aware of that. We changed the content, and the future editions will be adjusted. And, you know, I appreciate that. I’ve met with many, many world leaders. I’ve traveled around the world. I should not have put that anecdote in the book. And at my request, they have removed it.
Nate Burleson: That specific meeting didn’t happen?
Noem: I’m saying that I’m not talking about that meeting. I’m not talking about my meetings with world leaders.
Burleson: But you do talk about meetings with world leaders.
Noem: There are some that are in the book, and then there’s some that’s not in the book.
Burleson: But why are there two specific mentions of meeting Kim Jong-un and talking about him, and a specific memory: “I’m sure he underestimated me, having no clue about my experience staring down little tyrants.” Did you tell your ghostwriter to write them?
Noem: I specifically have worked on policy for over 30 years, and over that time I have traveled around the world and I have met with leaders around the world. And that anecdote, I’ve asked them to change the content and it will be removed.
Burleson: It’s a simple question! Did you or did you not meet with Kim Jong-un?
Noem: That’s the answer that I have for you, is that I’m, it will be adjusted. And as soon as I became aware of it, that content was removed.
Watch the video above via CBS Mornings on YouTube.
