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WASHINGTON — South Dakota Republican Gov. Kristi Noem knocked Fox �������� host Stuart Varney in an interview after he pressed her on her decision to kill her 14-month-old dog Cricket over 20 years ago. 

The heated exchange began during an interview Tuesday when Varney asked Noem, who has been floated as a potential vice presidential nominee, what former President Donald Trump has said in conversations to her about the number two spot. 

“I never tell anybody my personal conversations with President Trump,” Noem replied to which Varney asked, “Did the dog story come up in your conversation with Trump?”

Noem appeared to dodge the question, reiterating that she talks to Trump “all the time,” while Varney continued to press her on the question. 

“Enough, Stuart. This interview is ridiculous, which you are doing right now,” Noem fired back at one point. “So you need to stop. It is. It is. Let’s talk about some real topics that Americans care about.”

Noem has been under fire in recent weeks after excerpts from her upcoming memoir, "No Going Back" were published by The Guardian last month that detailed her decision to shoot the wirehaired pointer. 

�����’s received backlash from prominent figures on both sides of the aisle, and has been pressed about the decision in news interviews. 

On CBS’s “Face the Nation” Sunday, Noem defended her decision to kill her dog, saying that it was a dangerous animal and that she was protecting her children.