Noem's Cannibal Story Called Fake by Federal Officials in July 2025

A story told by Kristi Noem about a 'cannibal' on a deportation flight has been called fake by federal officials. This is a major change from what was first reported.
By Newsroom | Politics, United States |

Federal authorities have stated that a widely publicized account by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem concerning a "cannibal" attempting to self-mutilate during a deportation flight is entirely fabricated. Multiple law enforcement officials, including those from within the Department of Homeland Security, have indicated that no such incident has occurred. The story, which Noem presented as a stark example of dangerous individuals entering the country, appears to have originated solely with her.

Kristi Noem Accused of Lying About DHS Deportation of a Cannibal Who 'Ate His Own Arm' During 2025 Flight - 1

Noem first recounted the alleged incident in June 2025, speaking alongside President Donald Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis at a press conference for a new immigration detention facility in Florida. She claimed that a U.S. marshal had told her about a deportation flight where one individual, described as a "cannibal," began eating his own arm while restrained. Noem repeated the story on national television, including an interview on Fox News' "Jesse Watters Primetime," where she elaborated on the detainee's alleged actions and the necessity for agents to remove him from the aircraft for medical attention before deportation. Officials have since refuted this, stating the narrative was "completely made up" and that they found no records to support the claim.

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Kristi Noem Accused of Lying About DHS Deportation of a Cannibal Who 'Ate His Own Arm' During 2025 Flight - 2

The narrative circulated across various news outlets, with some attempting to verify the account. Initial inquiries to the Department of Homeland Security and ICE did not yield independent verification of the incident. The debunking of Noem's story comes amid broader political discourse surrounding immigration enforcement and the language used to describe immigrants.

Kristi Noem Accused of Lying About DHS Deportation of a Cannibal Who 'Ate His Own Arm' During 2025 Flight - 3

The origin of Noem's assertion has been traced back to her claims of speaking with a U.S. marshal. However, other officials have clarified that the story itself originated with Noem, not with the marshals she alluded to. Some federal law enforcement sources expressed frustration over what they described as cleaning up Noem's "mess" and labeled the account as stemming from her imagination.

Kristi Noem Accused of Lying About DHS Deportation of a Cannibal Who 'Ate His Own Arm' During 2025 Flight - 4

Noem’s public remarks on the matter have drawn criticism, with some politicians calling for her removal. The "cannibal" anecdote was presented by Noem as justification for enhanced immigration enforcement, aiming to portray immigrants as "deranged individuals" posing a threat.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What did federal authorities say about Kristi Noem's 'cannibal' story?
Federal authorities said that Kristi Noem's story about a person eating their own arm on a deportation flight is not true. They said the story was made up.
Q: When did Kristi Noem first tell the 'cannibal' story?
Kristi Noem first told the story in June 2025 at a press conference about a new immigration center in Florida. She repeated it later on TV.
Q: Who is affected by the claim that Noem's story is fake?
People who heard Noem's story are affected because they now know it was not real. It also affects the discussion about immigration and how people are described.
Q: What happens next after the 'cannibal' story was called fake?
Federal law enforcement officials are frustrated. The story being fake might make people question other immigration stories and the language used to talk about immigrants.