Fact Check: “Noem said: I was talking to some US Marshals who were partnering with ICE, they said they had detained a cannibal, put him on a plane to take him home, and he started to eat himself."

The claim consists of two main components: first, that Kristi Noem stated she spoke with US Marshals working with ICE who reported detaining a cannibal; second, that this individual began eating himself while on a deportation flight and required medical attention. Multiple news reports and videos confirm that Noem made this statement during a press briefing, repeating the story as relayed to her by law enforcement officials.news.meaww.comnews.meaww.comFact Check: Did Kristi Noem say a cannibal tried to eat himself on an ICE...

However, beyond Noem's recounting, there is no corroborating evidence from ICE, US Marshals Service, or independent authorities verifying the existence of such an individual or the described behavior. The story has been widely reported in various media outlets but primarily as a repetition of Noem's claim without additional verification. Given the extraordinary nature of the claim, detaining a cannibal who engaged in self-cannibalism mid-flight, one would expect official statements or documentation if true.

The absence of such evidence and reliance solely on Noem's anecdote means the claim cannot be substantiated. Furthermore, some sources reporting the story have partisan or sensationalist tones, which calls for caution. Without official confirmation or credible eyewitness accounts beyond Noem's statement, the factual accuracy remains unproven.

Therefore, while Noem did say it, the actual occurrence of the event is unverifiable based on available information.