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Taxpayer Dollars Used for Kristi Noem's Costly Mount Rushmore Ad

KVIA•Monday, March 23, 2026 at 4:51 PM•CNN Newsource

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AI Summary

Recent invoices reveal that over $20,000 in taxpayer funds were allocated for a horse and nearly $4,000 for hair and makeup services for a promotional advertisement featuring Kristi Noem, the outgoing Secretary of Homeland Security. This spending is part of a larger $200 million advertising campaign by the DHS, which has raised concerns among lawmakers about wasteful expenditures. Despite Noem's commitment to cut costs upon her appointment, the ad's production costs totaled over $100,000, including a controversial signing bonus. As Noem prepares to leave her position, scrutiny over her spending practices continues, with questions directed at her claims of presidential approval for the expenditures.

Key Details: • Over $20,000 spent on a horse for the ad. • Nearly $4,000 allocated for hair and makeup services. • Total production costs exceeded $100,000, including a $60,000 signing bonus. • DHS's advertising campaign has cost taxpayers over $200 million. • Markwayne Mullin is set to replace Noem as DHS Secretary.

dhs waste advertising noem taxpayer-funds

People & Organizations

Department of Homeland SecurityDonald TrumpKristi NoemJohn KennedyRichard BlumenthalMarkwayne MullinMount RushmoreSouth DakotaPeter WelchStrategy Group

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