Kristi Noem's mother claims ex-DHS chief will divorce her husband after cross-dressing debacle

WASHINGTON, DC: Ex-DHS boss Kristi Noem is reportedly headed for divorce after more than three decades of marriage, with her mother publicly acknowledging the family's difficult situation. 

The remarks come months after reports about Bryon Noem's alleged online cross-dressing activities drew widespread attention.

While addressing the reported split, Corinne Arnold, on Friday, July 10, also dismissed long-running rumors linking her daughter to political adviser Corey Lewandowski, calling those allegations completely false.

Kristi Noem's mom says family expected separation

Corinne Arnold, speaking to the Daily Mail, addressed the reported breakdown of her daughter Kristi Noem’s marriage, indicating that the separation did not come as a surprise to those close to the family.

She revealed that Bryon Noem has already moved out of the couple’s residence in Castlewood, South Dakota, and noted that the last time she saw them together was at a family birthday gathering in late spring.

Reflecting on the situation, Arnold said the family had long anticipated this outcome. “It’s been very hard, but we knew for some time that a divorce was likely,” she said.

Expressing her personal distress, she admitted feeling heartbroken and unwell over it, but stated there isn’t much anyone can do about it.

Kristi and Bryon Noem have been married for 34 years and are parents to three children.

In the same interview, Corinne Arnold also responded to long-standing speculation linking her daughter, Kristi Noem, to a romantic relationship with longtime Trump adviser Corey Lewandowski.

Dismissing the claims entirely, Arnold called the rumors baseless and untrue.

“It’s all nonsense,” she said, pushing back firmly against the allegations.

She went on to defend her daughter’s character, adding, “Kristi would never do something like that. That’s not how I raised my children.”

Her comments stand out as a rare instance of a close family member publicly addressing both the reported marital split and the personal rumors that have surrounded Noem in recent years.

Kristi Noem's mom said her daughter ruled out reconciliation

Arnold also shared details of a recent family gathering that took place after the controversy, offering a glimpse into the couple’s dynamic during that time.

She said Kristi Noem had returned to South Dakota to attend one of her grandchildren’s birthday celebrations, where the entire family was present.

Describing the moment, Arnold recalled that Bryon Noem appeared warm and engaged with the children.

She noted that he was holding and hugging them, adding that his demeanor reminded her of how he used to be.

Arnold said she greeted him affectionately, telling him she loved him, and he responded in kind.

Despite the outwardly cordial atmosphere, Arnold said she took the opportunity to have a direct conversation with her daughter about the future of her marriage.

She explained that Kristi had been reserved about sharing her thoughts, but she eventually asked her plainly whether reconciliation was possible.

According to Arnold, Kristi made her position clear, saying there would be no reunion and that the couple intended to move forward with a divorce.

Arnold added that she also asked if legal steps had been taken, to which Kristi indicated she had already identified a lawyer based in Sioux Falls.

The reported divorce comes months after the Daily Mail published a story alleging that Bryon Noem had participated in online cross-dressing.

The publication released photographs that it said showed him wearing prosthetics and cited models who claimed they had online interactions with him.

Neither those claims nor the allegations surrounding the reported online interactions have been independently verified.