Scandal Erupts Over Kristi Noem's Husband Allegedly Confessing Transgender Desires to Dominatrix

Audio and text messages appear to show Bryon Noem, husband of former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, privately expressing desire to transition to a woman while his wife publicly opposed transgender rights.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 1:22pm

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A fractured, abstract painting in shades of navy, gray, and purple depicting a government building or political symbol, conveying a sense of instability and fragmentation.The scandal surrounding Kristi Noem's husband's alleged transgender desires exposes cracks in the conservative politician's carefully crafted public image.Minneapolis Today

Bryon Noem, the husband of former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, is at the center of a scandal after audio recordings and text messages allegedly show him confessing to a dominatrix that he wants to transition to a woman. This comes as Kristi Noem has signed legislation banning gender-affirming care for transgender minors in South Dakota. The scandal raises questions about security clearance standards and potential blackmail exposure during Kristi Noem's time at DHS.

Why it matters

This scandal directly contradicts the political identity Kristi Noem has built on opposing transgender rights and traditional family values. It also raises concerns about potential security risks and blackmail exposure during her tenure as DHS Secretary, given her husband's alleged activities.

The details

According to reports, Bryon Noem, a 56-year-old South Dakota insurance executive and Kristi Noem's husband, allegedly sustained a nine-year online relationship with a sex worker and dominatrix named Shy Sotomayor, also known as Raelynn Riley. In text messages and audio recordings, Bryon allegedly expressed a strong desire to transition to a woman, including discussing feminizing surgery and hormone therapy. The scandal emerged just months after Kristi Noem signed a law banning gender-affirming care for transgender minors in South Dakota.

  • In February 2023, Kristi Noem signed a law banning gender-affirming care for transgender minors in South Dakota.
  • Bryon Noem allegedly first contacted the dominatrix in 2016 and maintained communication until 2020, when Kristi became governor of South Dakota. He allegedly resumed contact in 2025.
  • In mid-January 2026, Bryon allegedly referenced 'family stuff' being 'really bad at home', a period that coincided with the fallout from federal agents killing two U.S. citizens during immigration enforcement operations in Minneapolis.

The players

Kristi Noem

The former Homeland Security Secretary who signed legislation banning gender-affirming care for transgender minors in South Dakota.

Bryon Noem

The 56-year-old husband of Kristi Noem who allegedly confessed to a dominatrix that he wants to transition to a woman.

Shy Sotomayor

Also known as Raelynn Riley, a sex worker and dominatrix from Colorado Springs who allegedly had a nine-year online relationship with Bryon Noem.

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What they’re saying

“Besides the fact of who your wife is, no one is prettier than me. No one is as powerful.”

— Shy Sotomayor, Sex worker and dominatrix

“I want to be a Crystal so bad... I want to be a woman so bad.”

— Bryon Noem

What’s next

The White House and DHS have not yet responded to the audio claims. Kristi Noem's spokesperson has stated that the family was 'blindsided' by the scandal and asked for privacy and prayers.

The takeaway

This scandal has the potential to undermine the political identity Kristi Noem has built on opposing transgender rights and traditional family values, while also raising serious questions about potential security risks and blackmail exposure during her tenure as DHS Secretary.