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By Dan Gooding
Associate News Editor
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Conservative voices, including those within the MAGA movement, reacted Tuesday to reports Kristi Noem's husband Bryon Noem cross-dresses, with influencer Laura Loomer saying she was shocked the revelations had not come sooner.
A report by The Daily Mail laid out claims Bryon Noem leads a double life that includes wearing fake breasts and speaking to fetish models online. The article included photos the outlet said were of the Trump administration special envoy's husband wearing leggings and the false breasts, sent in a messaging app.
The Mail said it had published the report over potential national security concerns, with experts telling the outlet that if a media organization could find the messages, hostile intelligence agencies could as well.
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Newsweek has not been able to verify the claims made by the outlet. A representative for Kristi Noem—the ousted Department of Homeland Security (DHS) secretary and current special envoy for "The Shield of the Americas"—said she and her family had been "blindsided" by the news.
"Ms. Noem is devastated. The family was blindsided by this, and they ask for privacy and prayers at the time," Kristi Noem’s representatives told the New York Post.
Bryon Noem Cross-Dressing Claims
The report by The Daily Mail alleged that Bryon Noem chats with online fetish models, citing hundreds of messages involving three women from the "bimbofication" scene, where adult performers augment their breasts with large amounts of saline to create a doll-like appearance.
In one photo obtained by the outlet, he appears to be wearing a flesh-colored top with two balloons inside to give the appearance of breasts, along with pink shorts. He sent online acquaintances at least $25,000 via Cash App and PayPal, according to the report.
Kristi Noem and Bryon Noem attended the same high school and began dating when she was a junior and he was a college freshman, according to People. They married in 1992 and have three children together.
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What Has the Reaction Been to the Claims?
The story sparked a mixed reaction across the political spectrum, including those who said it was not their business what couples' lives were like behind closed doors.
President Donald Trump reacted to the story on Tuesday, telling the Daily Mail he felt bad for the family.
"They confirmed it? Wow, well, I feel badly for the family if that's the case, that's too bad," Trump said. "I haven't seen anything. I don't know anything about it. That's too bad, but I just know nothing about it."
Bryon Noem's story drew criticism from conservatives, including those supportive of the Trump administration, with Loomer among them.
"Kristi Noem said her family is blindsided by revelations her husband is a cross dresser and gay. That isn’t true. She knew all about her husband," Loomer said in part on X. "They can divorce and move on and live their lives without keeping secrets."
Robby Starbuck, visiting fellow at The Heritage Foundation and commentator, called the allegations "disturbing" on X.
"Some people apparently want their hands held and for me to hold back when my own side of the political aisle does stupid stuff. No thanks. I’m not going to be a hypocrite," he said. "We’d all rightly criticize a prominent Dem’s spouse if they did this. We have to have lines. Period."
Peter J. Hasson, conservative reporter, also took to X, saying: "Against all odds, Kristi Noem is the normal one in her marriage."
Other frequent political commentators on social media shared their views on the reporting, pointing out the Noems' Christian beliefs and conservative values when giving their perspectives.
"I don't care what Kristi Noem and her husband are doing in their private lives. It's none of my business what consenting adults do in private," writer Charlotte Clymer posted to X. "But I do find it very strange that these people believe the private lives of the rest of us are their business while they're doing this."
There were also references to claims DHS has denied—that the former secretary had been having an affair with adviser Corey Lewandowski.
"I couldn’t care less about Kristi Noem’s husband being a cross dresser or trans or whatever those photos are supposed to denote," Art Candee posted to X. "I care that she’s a cheating h***y who has been parading around with her lover, Corey Lewandowski, on the taxpayer dime."
Update 3/31/26, 2:38 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
Update 4/1/26, 9:38 a.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
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