Kristi Noem: Former DHS Secretary to Divorce Husband Bryon Noem after Cross-Dressing Scandal, Mom Claims

Former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and her husband, Bryon Noem, are headed for divorce, according to comments made by Noem’s mother in a recent interview. Speaking to the Daily Mail from her home next to the family ranch where the couple raised their three children, Corinne Arnold said the separation had been expected.

“It has been difficult, but we knew this was coming, that they were going to get divorced,” Arnold said. She added that her daughter shared her plans with the family in late spring, shortly after photos emerged showing 56-year-old Bryon Noem dressed in women’s clothing, including wearing large prosthetic breasts, while interacting with a fetish performer.

Removing Him from Her Life

It remains unclear whether Kristi Noem ultimately changed course in recent months, as no divorce petition has been publicly filed. Noem has also faced longstanding allegations of an affair with former Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski, though neither has confirmed the claims.

The family learned of the planned split while gathered to celebrate the birthday of one of Kristi and Bryon Noem’s grandchildren, according to Corinne Arnold who also said that was when relatives were told the marriage was coming to an end.

‘She doesn’t tell me what she thinks. Finally, I said: ‘What’s the deal? Are you going to get together again?’ And she said: ‘No. No. We’re going to get a divorce,'” Noem’s mother told the Mail.

“And I said: ‘Who is your lawyer?’ And she said it was somebody from Sioux Falls.”

The outlet reported in late March that Bryon Noem had been trying to contact women involved in the “bimbofication” fetish community, where participants and performers use large saline breast implants or prosthetics to achieve an exaggerated, doll-like appearance. The report also alleged that he had taken part in the trend himself.

Nothing Going Right for Noem

Just days before those claims became public, Trump fired Kristi Noem from her role as Homeland Security secretary on March 5, placing the reported revelations under an even brighter spotlight.

The “final straw” for Trump was Noem’s appearance at a congressional hearing the day before her firing, according to administration sources cited by The New York Post.

During the hearing, she declined to directly answer a question about longstanding rumors that she had a sexual relationship with former Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski.

Those sources claimed her refusal to address the allegation — with her husband of 34 years, Bryon, seated behind her in the hearing room — was interpreted by some observers as significant. However, Noem has not publicly confirmed the alleged affair.

Arnold debunked rumors that her daughter had been involved in an affair with former Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski.

“Kristi would never do that,” she said. “That’s not how I raised my children. And Corey has his own wonderful family and young children.”

Trump was also reportedly upset over Noem’s claim that he had personally approved a $220 million Department of Homeland Security advertising campaign featuring the then-secretary, according to sources cited by The New York Post.