Gov. Kristi Noem is facing a consumer protections lawsuit one day after she shared a video praising the work of a Texas dental office.
Tuesday morning, Republican Governor Kristi Noem shared a video on her social media accounts typically reserved for campaigning.
I love my new family at Smile Texas! The video says it all, and I am so grateful for their help fixing my smile for me. 😊🙌🏼😊 pic.twitter.com/z2kTmiY8td
— Kristi Noem (@KristiNoem) March 12, 2024
The nearly five-minute video features Noem talking about a biking accident that knocked all of her front teeth out.
The video features b-roll of dentists working on teeth and the Huston dentist who worked closely with the South Dakota governor.
“I think I chose the team here at Smile Texas because they’re the best, first of all. I studied a lot of the work they had done and talked to a lot of people that had been here. But, also, because they were so kind," Noem said in the video. "They wanted to make sure that I was happy with my smile.”
However, a lawsuit filed by a travel consumer group on Wednesday alleges the video appears to be an undisclosed advertisement.
Lauren Wolfe, legal counsel for Travelers United, said the video was a prominent, undisclosed medical tourism advertisement.
“Consumers have a right to know if they’re looking at a paid advertisement or if they’re looking at someone’s genuine opinion that they’re not making for any sort of monetary, financial or medical compensation. That they have no material connection there.”
Wolfe says the group is suing Noem in her personal capacity. A spokesperson for the governor’s office has not immediately responded to requests for comment.
Wolfe said Travelers United could drop the lawsuit tomorrow if Noem notes the video was an advertisement and the post is corrected.
