Bryon Noem breaks silence on divorce to say he welcomes chance to tell his side in court
From the Newshound archive · first published 29 September 2026 · last updated 1 October 2026.
Bryon Noem has released a statement describing himself as "saddened that the marriage is ending" following a divorce filing by his wife, former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who cited irreconcilable differences after 34 years together. The paperwork was signed in April, little more than a week after tabloid photographs surfaced showing Bryon in a spandex shirt with inflated prosthetic breasts underneath, though it was not formally lodged with a court until this week. Kristi Noem had already been dismissed by President Trump before the divorce became public knowledge, and she had separately faced rumours of a romantic involvement with aide Corey Lewandowski.
Attorney Tim Bottum said Bryon's "priority is to protect the family and move forward as loving parents and grandparents."
Bryon's indication that he would welcome a courtroom process if it came to that was widely interpreted as a veiled threat to contest the divorce in public.
The divorce was filed in Hamlin County, South Dakota, where Noem previously served as governor.