South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem defended her decision not to sign a bill that bans transgender girls and women from participating in women’s sports in a heated discussion with Fox News presenter Tucker Carlson on her show Monday. -market.
The presenter of “The Tucker Carlson Tonight” explained to viewers that the project, which is very popular in the state of Noem, was almost approved with her support until “a big deal intercedes, [the] NCAA, Chamber of Commerce and Amazon tell you not to sign – and you change your mind. “
“Well, that’s not true, Tucker,” Noem fired back. “I could sign the bill the way it is today … but it wouldn’t solve the problem.”
The Republican governor said she returned the bill to the legislature on what she called “style and form”, adding that she would sign it if lawmakers agreed with the desired revisions.
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“This bill would only allow the NCAA to intimidate South Dakota,” she said. “And it would actually prevent women from participating in college sports. So what I did was ask the lawmaker … to change the bill.”
Noem said the bill would allow the NCAA to take punitive measures against South Dakota.
“We had to fight hard for any tournament to reach South Dakota,” she said. “When they took punitive measures against us, we would have to go to litigation, and the lawyers I have been consulting with for many, many months say that I would most likely lose these legal efforts.”
“Wait,” Carlson interrupted. “So you’re saying that the NCAA threatened you … they said ‘If you sign this, we won’t allow girls in South Dakota to play’ and you don’t think you can win in court – even if the public is overwhelmingly supportive of you nationally – and then you are giving in to the NCAA? “he emphasized.
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Noem dismissed Carlson’s suggestion as “completely wrong” and reiterated his commitment to protecting women’s sport.
Her strategy, she explained, involves creating a coalition to prevent the NCAA from “intimidating the state of South Dakota”.
“Listen, I’m sick of the threatening NCAA states, which challenge and intimidate us, so let’s build a coalition of leaders, athletes and people who want to protect women’s sports,” she said.
When Carlson questioned why Noem does not take a more forceful “bring” approach to fighting in the “court of public opinion and defense principles,” the staunch conservative replied, “Tucker, you are preaching my sermon.”
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“Listen,” Noem continued. “I am not interested in a participation trophy. I am not interested in choosing a fight that we cannot win. I am a problem solver … and I was intimidated last year by the liberals, Tucker. I will not let anyone from the NCAA, from any big deal, I will not let even the conservatives on the right intimidate me, I will solve the problem.
“I will make sure that we are gaining strength in numbers and we will go after the NCAA and make sure that we will keep only girls participating in women’s sports.”