In shocking and worrisome news that broke on the night of Tuesday, June 17, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was rushed to the hospital in what initially appeared to be a life-threatening case of some sort. It was soon revealed that she had had a severe allergic reaction that required hospitalization, but was able to recover.
The initial news broke on cable news and X (formerly Twitter) around the same time, with various cable channels and news-focused accounts reporting that an ambulance had rushed her to a hospital in DC in the late afternoon or early evening, though at the time it was unclear what had led to her emergency hospitalization.
Amongst those accounts that noted as much online was conservative news poster Nick Sortor. Sortor said, in his 5:35 pm post on X, “🚨 #BREAKING: DHS Secretary Kristi Noem has been rushed to the hospital in DC. I can confirm she went by ambulance about 45 minutes ago, and that ambulance was escorted by multiple Secret Service vehicles. The nature of the emergency is unknown, but she is conscious and has spoken with her security detail. Pray for Kristi Noem. We need her.”
Posting around the same time was Senior Trump Adviser Bruce LeVell, who wrote, “My dear friend @Sec_Noem , our fearless Secretary of Homeland Security, was just rushed to the hospital. My heart is with her during this challenging time, but I know her strength and determination will shine through. Please join me in keeping Kristi in your prayers for a swift and full recovery. She has been tirelessly spearheading @realDonaldTrump initiative to uphold law and order and utilize ICE to keep our country safe from criminals. Let’s stand strong for her, just as she’s stood strong for America.”
Fortunately, it soon emerged that the DHS Secretary was recovering well and that what had prompted her hospitalization was an “abundance of caution” regarding an allergic reaction she had. Announcing as much in a statement to the media, a DHS spokesperson said, “Secretary Noem had an allergic reaction today. She was transported to the hospital out of an abundance of caution.” The spokesperson added, “She is alert and recovering.”
However, it is unclear what triggered the allergic reaction event, as that has not been announced by the DHS or Trump White House generally, Secretary Noem has not posted about the incident on her official or personal X accounts, as of the time this article was written, nor has the DHS or DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin.
Unfortunately, some in the media couldn’t help but poke fun at Secretary Noem as she battled the apparently dangerous allergic reaction in the hospital. British tabloid newspaper The Daily Mail, for example, ran an article titled. “ICE Barbie Kristi Noem rushed to the hospital.”
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That earned the outlet a swift rebuke online, particularly on X, with one poster who slammed the story writing, “Sec. Kristi Noem has been rushed to the hospital. This isn’t funny. MSM is incredible degrading women they don’t agree with-women, a subject they can’t find a definition for.”
Watch CNN’s report on the hospitalization here:
Featured image credit: base image from By DHSgov – https://www.flickr.com/photos/126057486@N04/54413372806/, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=162883635