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Kristi Noem files for divorce from Bryon Noem in South Dakota

Former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem's divorce from Bryon Noem, citing irreconcilable differences, became public on 28 September. Outlets differ on when it was filed, and on how much weight to give the fetish allegations and the Lewandowski rumours.

11 outlets · 3L · 3C · 5R First reported Account updated

Updated (version 6). New coverage since the last version from Breitbart, Gulf News, Raw Story.

Image: Newsweek
Image: The Independent
Image: Just the News
Image: Gulf News
Image: ABC News
Image: IJR
Image: Raw Story
Image: New York Post

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The story, neutrally told

Former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has filed for divorce from her husband Bryon Noem in Hamlin County, South Dakota, citing irreconcilable differences. The filing date is reported inconsistently: Raw Story says she filed Monday, while AP (via Gulf News) says it was made in April and posted online Monday, and Breitbart gives April 6. The couple married in May 1992 and have three children.

Kristi Noem's attorney confirmed the filing and said she will reserve further comment for the legal process. Bryon Noem's attorney, Tim Bottum, told TMZ he is saddened, hopes for a private and amicable resolution, and would welcome the chance to share his perspective if court proceedings become necessary. The filing follows a late-March report that Bryon Noem sent messages to adult performers in a 'bimbofication' fetish community and photographed himself in women's clothing and fake breasts; Noem's representative said she was devastated and the family blindsided.

Noem left the DHS post in March after criticism over the Minneapolis shootings of two protesters and over department spending; Trump named her special envoy for The Shield of the Americas and Markwayne Mullin replaced her. Congress had questioned Noem about an alleged affair with adviser Corey Lewandowski; she denied it, calling the claims 'tabloid garbage'.

Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on.

Left3 outlets

Framing
Sober news report (ABC), a background piece on the scandal (Independent) and a follow-up on Bryon Noem's reaction (Raw Story).
Emphasis
Court details, Noem's denials, Bryon Noem's attorney statement.
Leaves out or plays down
Do not present the Lewandowski romance as continuing.
Charged language
“bimbofication”
For example
“would welcome the chance to tell his side if the split ends up in a court proceeding” — Raw Story
“The divorce comes months after photos were released of Noem’s husband wearing a skin-colored top with two balloons tucked into it to look like huge breasts” — The Independent

Centre3 outlets

Framing
Newsweek offers a timeline of fallout, The Hill leads on court documents, and AP via Gulf News gives a wider political backdrop.
Emphasis
Chronology, filing date, DHS exit and Minneapolis controversy.
Leaves out or plays down
Do not repeat the claim of a continuing Lewandowski romance; AP copy does not mention the fetish allegations.
For example
“Noem became a liability for the Republican president as questions arose over her conduct” — Gulf News
“Former Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem officially filed for divorce from her husband, Bryon Noem, on Monday.” — Newsweek

Right5 outlets

Framing
Leads with Bryon Noem's alleged cross-dressing and, in some outlets, the Lewandowski rumours.
Emphasis
Bryon's reported activity, family details, Noem's past denial of an affair (Breitbart).
Leaves out or plays down
The Post and Just the News omit the denials; Breitbart does not mention Bryon's attorney statement.
Charged language
“cross-dressing husband”“busty bimbo”“ICE Barbie”
For example
“Former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem files for divorce from cross-dressing husband Bryon” — New York Post
“The hearing reignited speculation about Noem and Lewandowski” — Breitbart