Sioux Falls, SD – Former Homeland Security Secretary and former South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem (R) is reportedly planning to divorce her husband of 34 years, Bryon Noem, according to comments shared by her mother, Corinne Arnold, in a recent interview with the Daily Mail. While no divorce filing has been made public in court records, Arnold informed the publication that her daughter confirmed the impending separation to family members earlier this year during a birthday celebration for one of the couple's grandchildren. The reported decision to end the long-standing marriage follows a period of intense public scrutiny surrounding Bryon Noem and other controversies that have drawn national attention to the prominent Republican figure.
"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." — Corinne Arnold, Mother of Kristi Noem
Corinne Arnold described the situation as personally "difficult" for the family, but indicated that the development was not entirely unexpected. “It has been difficult, but we knew this was coming, that they were going to get divorced,” Arnold told the Daily Mail, providing insight into the private discussions within the family. She recounted a direct conversation with her daughter at the family gathering, pressing for clarity on the marital status. “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.'” This exchange, as described by Arnold, underscores the definitive nature of Kristi Noem’s decision shared with her relatives. Arnold further stated that Kristi Noem has already retained an attorney in Sioux Falls to manage the divorce proceedings, signaling a move towards formalizing the separation. However, public court records do not yet show a divorce petition, and neither Kristi Noem nor Bryon Noem have publicly confirmed that legal steps have commenced or that their marriage is indeed ending.
The reported marital challenges come after months of widespread media attention focused on Bryon Noem. Earlier this year, photographs surfaced that purportedly showed him wearing a silicone breastplate while communicating with an individual associated with the so-called "bimbofication" fetish community. These images, once circulated, sparked considerable public discussion and intensified scrutiny on the Noem family’s private life, drawing national headlines and extensive commentary across various media platforms and social media. The public nature of these allegations placed significant strain on the couple's privacy and public image, potentially contributing to the reported marital difficulties.
Adding to the complexities surrounding Kristi Noem’s public and private life, the Daily Mail report also revisited long-standing allegations concerning former Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski. Rumors suggesting a romantic relationship between Lewandowski and Kristi Noem have circulated for several years, though both parties have consistently refrained from publicly acknowledging any such involvement. Arnold, during her interview, emphatically dismissed these allegations, stating, “Kristi would never do that. That’s not how I brought my kids up. And Corey’s got his own wonderful family and little kids.” Her strong denial aimed to quash the speculation that has persistently followed her daughter’s political career.
These various controversies reportedly had implications at the highest levels of government. The New York Post previously reported that President Donald Trump reportedly dismissed Noem from her position as Homeland Security Secretary in March. According to administration sources cited by the Post, President Trump was reportedly dissatisfied with several controversies surrounding Noem, including her testimony during a congressional hearing. In that hearing, Noem reportedly declined to directly answer questions regarding the rumors involving Lewandowski, a situation that allegedly drew the President's ire. The same report also claimed that President Donald Trump objected to Noem’s management of a Department of Homeland Security advertising campaign that featured the Secretary herself, suggesting a desire for a different public image for the department. At the time these reports emerged, neither the White House nor Noem publicly confirmed these specific claims regarding the reasons for her departure from the cabinet position, leaving the official narrative open to interpretation.
Kristi and Bryon Noem have been married for 34 years, during which they raised three children together. Throughout Kristi Noem’s distinguished career, first as South Dakota governor and subsequently as Homeland Security Secretary, Bryon Noem frequently appeared alongside her at official events, political rallies, and public functions. He often played a visible and supportive public role, standing by his wife as she navigated the demanding world of state and national politics, according to past reports from outlets such as the New York Post. Their marriage has long been considered one of the Republican Party’s highest-profile partnerships.
As of the latest reports, neither Kristi Noem nor Bryon Noem has issued a public statement or official response to Corinne Arnold’s statements or addressed the reported plans to end their marriage. Without a public divorce filing or direct confirmation from either spouse, the report of their impending separation remains primarily based on the detailed account provided by Arnold and the Daily Mail’s interview. If divorce proceedings are ultimately filed and confirmed, they would mark the official conclusion of one of the Republican Party’s most visible and enduring political marriages, bringing to a close more than three decades of partnership. Until such official actions or direct statements are made by either spouse, the precise future of the couple’s relationship continues to be officially unconfirmed despite the detailed account from Arnold. The unfolding situation underscores the intense challenges and lack of privacy that public figures often face when navigating deeply personal matters under the relentless glare of media and public interest.
