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When South Dakota governor Kristi Noem<\/strong><\/a> posted a video to social media on Tuesday extolling<\/a> the work of Smile Texas, a cosmetic dentistry practice in the Lone Star State, telling viewers she\u2019d recently had the opportunity to go and \u201cfix\u201d her teeth, the resounding response was: WTF?<\/em> Many people wondered whether it was infomercial, and, as a side note, suggested that it was an incredible dig against the dentists of her home state. But now, online commentary is not the only thing Noem needs to worry about!<\/p>\n On Wednesday, the governor was sued<\/a> by Travelers United, a nonpartisan consumer advocacy group that accused her of posting an \u201cundisclosed advertisement\u201d for the Texas dentist\u2019s office, which it claims<\/a> violated a consumer protection law against deceptive business practices. Noem, the group said, \u201cadvertised a product or service without disclosing that she has a financial relationship with that company,\u201d adding: \u201cShe did not let her followers know when [she] is advertising on behalf of a brand. Travelers United is taking action to force her to make corrective disclosures on all social media posts where she promotes products or services.\u201d<\/p>\n In the epically bizarre video, Noem said she had \u201cknocked out\u201d all of her front teeth years ago during a biking accident and has been in need of an adjustment ever since. Then she explained that, after a Zoom consultation several years back, she was finally able to \u201cfind the time\u201d to fly to Texas and have her smile fixed. Why did she travel roughly 1,000 miles when, presumably, there are plenty of dentists in the state she officially represents? \u201cI chose the team here at Smile Texas because they\u2019re the best,\u201d she said. \u201cBut also because they were so kind.\u201d<\/p>\n This content can also be viewed on the site it originates<\/a> from.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n A representative for Noem did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The New York Times.<\/em> When a Times<\/em> reporter called Smile Texas, a person answering the phone on Thursday said, \u201cI ran to the phone and I\u2019m not going to talk to you. That\u2019s HIPAA policy. You\u2019re smart enough to know that.\u201d (As the outlet notes, \u201cHIPAA\u2014the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act\u2014governs the use and disclosure of certain sensitive health information. It\u2019s often used\u2014at times incorrectly\u2014as shorthand for \u2019medical privacy.\u2019\u201d)<\/p>\n In addition to the lawsuit, Democratic South Dakota state senator Reynold Nesiba<\/strong> has\u00a0demanded<\/a> an investigation\u00a0into the governor\u2019s social media post and trip to Texas.\u00a0\u201cI just thought it was a very strange video about how much she enjoyed having her teeth done at that particular place,\u201d Nesiba told the Associated Press, adding that he\u2019d like to know if Noem used a state plane and\/or public funds, and if she received a discount for promoting the procedure.<\/p>\n In February, Donald Trump<\/strong> confirmed<\/a> Noem was on a list of people he was considering for running mates.<\/p>\n<\/div>\nX content<\/h4>\n