Kristi Noem plans divorce after husband’s secret online life, her mother says

Kristi Noem plans to divorce her husband, Bryon Noem, after 34 years of marriage, her mother told the British tabloid The Daily Mail. The split follows revelations that Bryon Noem paid online fetish performers and shared photographs of himself presenting femininely.Corinne Arnold told the outlet that the former Homeland Security secretary informed relatives in late spring that she had retained a lawyer and intended to end the marriage. The conversation took place at a birthday party for one of the couple’s grandchildren, according to the outlet.Reports have described Bryon Noem’s alleged participation in “bimbofication,” feminization role-play and other fetish activity. Those behaviors are not the same as being transgender. Fetish activity, gender expression and gender identity are distinct, and Bryon Noem has not publicly identified as trans.Related: Kristi Noem’s husband wanted to be called Crystal, longtime dominatrix says“It has been difficult, but we knew this was coming, that they were going to get divorced,” Arnold said.Rumors about the state of their marriage have circulated for years alongside allegations that Kristi Noem had an affair with Corey Lewandowski, President Donald Trump’s former campaign manager and a longtime adviser to Noem. Both Noem and Lewandowski have denied having a romantic relationship. Bryon Noem reportedly discussed the allegations in messages to an online performer.No public divorce filing has surfaced, and neither Kristi nor Bryon Noem has confirmed that proceedings are underway. Bryon Noem has reportedly moved about 20 miles from the couple’s South Dakota ranch.Arnold said she had not seen him for months, though he continues to operate his insurance business.“It’s sad,” Arnold said. “You have to remember that Bryon’s been in our family for many years.” Kristi and Bryon Noem married in 1992 and have three adult children.The reported breakup comes months after the Daily Mail published photographs, messag