Former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Tuesday that her family was left reeling after a bombshell report alleged her husband, Bryon Noem, secretly cross-dresses and maintained online relationships with fetish models — allegations that one national security expert warned could have put the White House at risk of blackmail.
“Ms. Noem is devastated. The family was blindsided by this, and they ask for privacy and prayers at this time,” Ms. Noem’s representatives told the New York Post.
The Daily Mail published the explosive investigation Tuesday, with reporters Josh Boswell and Ben Ashford claiming to have reviewed hundreds of messages involving three women from the so-called “bimbofication” fetish scene — a kink centered around adult performers augmenting their bodies to achieve an exaggerated, doll-like appearance. The outlet also published photos it claims show Mr. Noem wearing large fake breasts and pink hotpants. The Washington Times has not independently confirmed the details of the Daily Mail’s reporting.
According to the Mediaite account of the report, Mr. Noem allegedly used the pseudonym “Jason Jackson” when contacting fetish models, lavishing praise on their surgically enhanced bodies and expressing a desire to be transformed. The New Republic reported that Mr. Noem allegedly sent at least $25,000 to various members of the online community.
Mr. Noem reportedly made little effort to conceal his connection to his wife. According to the Daily Mail, he gave women his personal phone number, which included a voicemail identifying his business.
When approached by reporters, Mr. Noem did not deny engaging in explicit conversations or sharing photos, but pushed back on claims that his conduct posed a national security threat.
Former CIA officer Marc Polymeropoulos, speaking to the Daily Mail, was not persuaded. “If a media organization can find this out, you can assume with a high degree of confidence that a hostile intelligence service knows this as well,” Mr. Polymeropoulos said.
Ms. Noem was recently removed as DHS secretary and reassigned as special envoy for the Shield of the Americas. She and Bryon Noem have been married since 1992 and have three children together.
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