Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem rides a horse while filming an ad at Mount Rushmore in South Dakota on October 2, 2025. - Tia Dufour/DHSTens of thousands of taxpayer dollars were spent on expenses for hair and makeup artists and a horse for the advertisement showcasing outgoing Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in front of Mount Rushmore, according to invoices seen by CNN. Upon becoming DHS secretary last year, Noem pledged to root out wasteful spending from her agency. The 60-second ad, which was filmed in October, shows Noem riding a chestnut-colored horse while wearing a cowboy hat and chaps in front of Mount Rushmore. The ad intersperses pivotal moments in American history with images of Trump, including after his July 2024 assassination attempt.

Source: CNN March 23, 2026 23:57 UTC