The Noem marriage has faced no shortage of scandal accusations, but new allegations that Bryon Noem secretly paid fetish models thousands of dollars and made comments that multiple male sources interpreted as inappropriate advances have stunned even the most jaded individuals in Washington.
First reported by the Daily Mail, the investigation alleges Bryon used a fake identity to contact online fetish models, sharing photos of himself in feminine clothing. The publication said it reviewed photos he allegedly shared with the models himself.
In one, he appears wearing a flesh-colored crop top and pink shorts with what look like balloons stuffed inside his shirt. In another, he is wearing green leggings and a white top stretched over two rounded forms. His face is clearly visible in both images.
The Daily Mail said he sent at least $25,000 to multiple women via Cash App and PayPal. He was found out after a model accidentally called him and got a voicemail for "Noem Insurance."
Sources Say News learned separately that two men said Bryon made unwanted and uncomfortable remarks toward them in recent years.
For some in Washington, the claim reframes an older headline. "The Corey thing makes a lot more sense now," one senior GOP source told this outlet.
National security experts said the situation could have left the former secretary vulnerable to blackmail during her 14 months at the Department of Homeland Security. "If a media organization can find this out, you can assume a hostile intelligence service knows as well," former CIA officer Marc Polymeropoulos told the Daily Mail.
When the Daily Mail reached Bryon by phone, he did not deny the allegations. He disputed only that his behavior created any national security risk, then ended the call. Trump was similarly terse when asked by the publication. "I feel badly for the family if that's the case. That's too bad," he said.
A spokesperson for the former secretary said in a statement: "Ms. Noem is devastated. The family was blindsided by this, and they ask for privacy and prayers at this time."
