Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem denied reports Tuesday that her agency plans to back a reality television show involving immigrants competing for U.S. citizenship.
The Daily Mail first reported in a May 15 article that Noem had been “pushing” for the reality show where immigrants compete against each other “for the honor of fast-tracking their way to U.S. citizenship.” During her appearance in front of the Senate Homeland Security Committee, Noem said that the report is “completely inaccurate” and she is unaware of any pitch to create a reality show.
“Sir, we have no knowledge of a reality show. There may have been something submitted to the department, but I did not know anything about this reality show until the reporter reached out, we told him we have no knowledge of it, we don’t know what he’s talking about, and they still printed wrong information,” Noem told Democrat Connecticut Sen. Richard Blumenthal. “In that article, in fact, they had to change it later because they lied so bad and they had us on the record saying I had no knowledge of a reality show, the department didn’t, there may have been something submitted somewhere along the line because there are proposals pitched to the department.”
“But me and my executive team have no knowledge of a reality show and it’s not under consideration … that article was completely inaccurate,” the DHS secretary continued. “Completely inaccurate and false and the fact they printed it when they knew it was false was a dereliction of their work.”
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The article, written by Shawn Cohen, said that the Daily Mail had confirmed that Noem had supported the reality show pitch. However, DHS Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin initially put out a statement Thursday denying the Daily Mail’s report, stating that DHS receives “hundreds of television pitches a year” and that Noem had not been aware of any reality show idea.
“This is completely false. Daily Mail’s ‘reporting’ is an affront to journalism. Secretary Noem has not ‘backed’ nor is even aware of the pitch of any scripted or reality show,” McLaughlin said. “DHS receives hundreds of television show pitches a year, ranging from documentaries surrounding ICE and CBP border operations to white collar investigations by HSI. Each proposal undergoes a thorough vetting process prior to denial or approval. This pitch has not received approval or rejection by staff.”
The outlet reported that the pitch was introduced by Rob Worsoff, a writer and producer for the A&E reality show, Duck Dynasty. A separate Daily Mail article reported that former Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden’s administrations were “receptive” to Worsoff’s alleged idea for the reality show.
The Daily Mail and Cohen did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.
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