At a recent Washington, D.C. event where President Donald Trump thanked federal law enforcement for their role in federalizing the Washington police department, he drew widespread social media ridicule for his awkward and patronizing remarks about Department of Homeland Security (DHS) chief Kristi Noem. Trump called her “my Kristi” and oddly praised her horseback riding skills, comments that many found belittling and inappropriate, especially given the serious audience of Homeland Security, FBI, DEA, and other federal agents. Social media users criticized the president’s tone as creepy, sexist, and out of touch, sparking a wave of negative reactions and memes.

Kristi Noem, a former South Dakota governor known for her horseback riding and ranching background, has frequently used equestrian imagery in her public persona. However, following Trump’s awkward praise, she was seen distributing pizza alongside U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, a stark contrast to her usual authoritative image. The incident highlighted the disconnect between Trump’s remarks and Noem’s professional role, fueling further criticism of his leadership style and treatment of female staff.