Kristi Noem, a prominent figure within the State Department, was observed with political strategist Corey Lewandowski in Wayzata, Minnesota, on a recent Tuesday afternoon, according to images obtained by the Daily Mail. The sighting comes as Noem navigates significant personal changes, including the confirmation of her divorce from husband Bryon Noem after 34 years of marriage.
"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." — Corinne Arnold, Kristi Noem’s Mother
The images depict Noem, 54, and Lewandowski, 52, in a relaxed setting along the shores of Lake Minnetonka. They were seen sharing a meal at The Grocer’s Table cafe and later on a bike ride through the affluent Minneapolis suburb. Noem wore a flannel shirt and a floppy hat, while Lewandowski was in a black T-shirt and dark sunglasses. Witnesses at the cafe noted Noem laughing while looking at something on Lewandowski’s phone.
A source familiar with their relationship indicated to the Daily Mail that the bond between Noem and Lewandowski has strengthened. "Kristi and Corey are closer than ever," the insider stated, highlighting Lewandowski's consistent support during Noem's challenging periods. This support reportedly extended through her professional setback when President Trump removed her from the Department of Homeland Security's top post in March, and during the public revelation of her husband's online activities.
Noem's professional trajectory shifted this spring, leading to her current role overseeing the Shield of the Americas, a smaller, newly established operation within the State Department. This move followed her departure from the Department of Homeland Security.
Concurrently, Noem's personal life faced intense scrutiny. Her husband, Bryon Noem, 56, was found to be involved in an online "bimbofication" subculture. This involved exchanging images of himself with clothing-tucked balloons to mimic large breasts and messaging fetish models. An investigative review uncovered hundreds of messages linking Bryon to three women in this online community, where performers undergo extreme saline breast enhancements. Bryon reportedly complimented the women's surgically altered bodies, expressed a strong attraction to "huge, huge ridiculous boobs," and made pointed remarks about his own marriage in these exchanges.
Security experts, upon reviewing these findings, raised concerns that Bryon’s online behavior could have created a vulnerability for Noem, potentially exposing her to blackmail during her tenure overseeing national security matters as "ICE Barbie." Noem has publicly acknowledged the emotional toll of these revelations, describing herself as "blindsided" and "devastated."
Corinne Arnold, Noem’s 77-year-old mother, recently confirmed in an interview that her daughter is proceeding with divorce. Arnold characterized the scandal as the "breaking point" for the long-standing marriage. "It has been difficult, but we knew this was coming, that they were going to get divorced," Arnold stated. She recounted the last family gathering where Kristi and Bryon were both present, a birthday celebration in late spring after the scandal became public. Arnold recalled Bryon appearing affectionate with the grandchildren that day, noting, "Bryon was holding and hugging the kids. It seemed like the old Bryon." She added, "He was very nice. I hugged him, told him I loved him and he said the same." Arnold also revealed she directly questioned her daughter about reconciliation during the event. "She doesn’t tell me what she thinks," Arnold said. "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.'"
Since the scandal surfaced, Bryon Noem has relocated approximately 20 miles from the family home and continues to operate his insurance agency. Kristi Arnold and Bryon Noem met in high school and married in 1992, raising three children: daughters Kassidy, 32, and Kennedy, 29, and son Booker, 24. Bryon had frequently supported his wife's political career, including sitting beside her during a congressional hearing on her immigration enforcement record. During that hearing, Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove, D-Calif., directly asked Noem, "Have you had sexual relations with Corey Lewandowski?" Noem responded by stating, "I am shocked that we’re going down and peddling tabloid garbage in this committee," rather than issuing a direct denial.
Speculation regarding a romantic relationship between Noem and Lewandowski has persisted for years, with both denying romantic involvement after a 2023 Daily Mail investigation first highlighted their close ties. The recent sighting and confirmation of Noem’s divorce add another layer to the ongoing public narrative surrounding her personal and professional life.
