Following a report (archived) in the British tabloid news outlet the Daily Mail in May 2025, claims circulated (archived) online that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was working with a producer on a reality TV show where migrants would compete for U.S. citizenship
The Daily Mail's headline read: "ICE Barbie Kristi Noem is backing insane reality TV show where immigrants compete for fast-tracked citizenship."
Similarly, one Instagram post said: "No, this isn't 'The Onion.' Dept. of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, aka "ICE Barbie," is reportedly backing a new reality competition show called 'The American,' where immigrants can compete "for the honor of fast-tracking their way to U.S. citizenship."
The claim also appeared on X (archived), Facebook (archived), Threads (archived), Bluesky (archived) and TikTok (archived). Snopes readers likewise emailed us to ask if rumors about the alleged show pitch were true.
What we know about rumored TV show
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in an emailed statement that the "show in question" in the Daily Mail's report was "in the very beginning stages" of a DHS vetting process and had not yet received approval. On X (archived), McLaughlin denied that Noem had any knowledge of or involvement with the show, saying "Secretary Noem has not 'backed' or even aware of the pitch of any scripted or reality show." Snopes has not independently reviewed a reported pitch deck detailing the suggested show.
We reached out to representatives for TV producer Rob Worsoff, who pitched the show, according to the Daily Mail and other reports on the topic, to confirm whether the pitch and reported details about the show were authentic and to determine whether Noem has had any involvement in it. We await their replies.
Worsoff, who has previously worked on other reality TV shows including "Duck Dynasty" and "Dating Naked," reportedly told The Wall Street Journal he had not been in communication with Noem and did not know if she knew about the proposed show.
According to the Daily Mail, the proposed show would be called "The American." Contestants would arrive at the historic U.S. entry point of Ellis Island in New York City before traveling across the U.S. competing in state-themed challenges. The final contestant standing would receive U.S. citizenship at Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. Other contestants could take home "iconically American" prizes such as airline points, gift cards or a lifetime supply of gas.
McLaughlin's full statement to Snopes read:
The reporting by the Daily Mail is completely false, and an affront to respectable journalism. Secretary Noem has not "backed" or even reviewed the pitch of any scripted or reality show. The Department of Homeland Security receives hundreds of television show pitches a year, ranging from documentaries surrounding ICE and CBP border operation to white collar investigations by HSI. Each proposal undergoes a thorough vetting process prior to denial or approval. If the excuse for a reporter at the Daily Mail had even thought to ask, he would have learned the show in question is in the very beginning stages of that vetting process and has not received approval or denial by staff.
However, according to the Daily Mail, the outlet confirmed Noem supports the idea and wants it to go ahead. The publication also reported McLaughlin as saying: "I think it's a good idea." Snopes asked the DHS to confirm this comment and it replied with the above statement.
Noem had not publicly commented on reports about "The American" as of this writing. Noem was due to testify before the Senate on May 20, 2025, on her department's fiscal 2026 budget request. It was unclear at whether she would be asked about "The American."
Numerous outlets, including the Daily Mail, have nicknamed Noem "ICE Barbie" for her myriad public appearances (archived) (archived) (archived) showcasing her DHS fieldwork. Her apparent willingness to be in the public eye could have encouraged rumors that she supported "The American."