What to Know
Kristi Noem has overseen tens of thousands of deportations in the time since she was named Homeland Security Secretary earlier this year, so where she decided to celebrate her 54th birthday is a real choice. Not only did Kristi ring in the occasion at a Mexican restaurant, but somehow, she also thought it would be a good idea to share a video of the celebration on Facebook. Judging by the comments, this was not a smart move.
Kristi shared the video from her November 30 birthday meal.
The footage was shared on Kristi’s official Facebook page and shows her sitting at a table at a Mexican restaurant as she’s presented with a birthday treat and given a sombrero to wear on her head while the staff sings “Happy Birthday” to her in Spanish.
She happily claps and dances along to the song, applauding when it’s over.
It seems like the reception to the video may not have been what Kristi expected. Even though it’s still live, it’s been hidden from showing up on her main Facebook feed.
Now, she’s facing all kinds of backlash.
Commenters did not hold back on Kristi’s post, mocking her for the “irony” in celebrating at a Mexican restaurant after she had a hand in the more than 527,000 deportations that the Trump administration confirmed have happened this year, as of October.
“After the song she has them deported!” one person wrote.
In a post on X, one critic wrote, “Kristi Noem has the nerve to have her 54th birthday dinner at a Mexican restaurant and even wears a Sombrero and has them sing Happy Birthday in Spanish! This is just shows what a total piece of crap she is mocking the people she has deported.Why did this restaurant allow her in!”
The restaurant that served her has also been caught in the crossfire.
After people determined that Kristi was dining at a restaurant called Santo Tequila in Watertown, South Dakota, the business’ Yelp page was inundated with negative reviews, and the Daily Mail reported that the owners received several “hate” phone calls from people who were angry that they would serve Kristi at all.
“Nobody knew her. The waiter just tried to give the best service he can. He didn’t know who it is,” the manager of the restaurant told the outlet, adding, “The only thing we know is that we treat everyone equally and they will always be welcome. Our doors will be open to anyone, whenever they come, treating them in the best way and with respect.”
