Former head of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Kristi Noem’s husband Bryon was targeted in a Saturday Night Live (SNL) sketch at the weekend, after a Daily Mail report alleged he cross-dressed while partaking in a fetish online.
During the Weekend Update segment on the Saturday night show, host Michael Che referred to the reports that Kristi Noem’s husband has been “chatting with women online while wearing gigantic inflatable boobs as part of a bimbo fetish.”
Che then added: “Here to comment is Kristi Noem’s husband,” as the camera panned to comedian Sarah Sherman wearing a wig, wonky balloon breasts and pink biker shorts, posing as Bryon Noem
Why It Matters
Noem and her family have been in the spotlight in recent months, as the former DHS secretary faced mounting criticism over her leadership of the department, with lawmakers demanding she either resign or face impeachment. She was fired on March 5 by President Donald Trump, after facing a two-day grilling on Capitol Hill from GOP members as well as Democrats.
More recently, her husband, Bryon Noem, has also been in the headlines, with the Daily Mail report alleging he led a double life, delving into the fetish subculture “bimbofication.” The report has raised questions among critics of potential blackmail exposure and security clearance standards.
What To Know
In the skit, Sherman says, “Michael, my eyes are up here,” pointing to her eyes, and then adding, “my nipples are out here,” pointing her fingers out to the sides.
“I dare you all to find one thing that’s comical about this situation,” Sherman later said. “I dare you to make a joke about my big beautiful balloon breasts. I dare you to kink shame me on national TV about my insane clown juggle-os and my tiny teeny little bike shorts.”
She added: “You got anything to say liberal New York about a conservative man’s ball-oobs.” She then called on the camera crew and presenter to comment, before calling on “my wife Kristi Noem.”
“Anything to add about my sweater puppies?” Sherman asked. The camera then switched to cast member Ashley Padilla, posing as Kristi Noem, who said, “Did someone say puppies,” as she cocked a rifle. The segment referenced a 2024 scandal where she had revealed in her memoir that she shot her own dog.
The sketch came after the Daily Mail report alleging that Bryon chatted with online fetish models, based on hundreds of messages involving three women from a fetish subculture known as “bimbofication”. Newsweek has not independently verified the news outlet’s claims.
Adult performers who are part of the “bimbofication” fetish culture augment their breasts with large amounts of saline, as well as adapting their appearance in other ways, to exaggerate their femininity and create a barbie-doll aesthetic.
The outlet also shared a photo of what appeared to be the father-of-three wearing a flesh-colored crop top, with what seems to be balloons stuffed underneath, seeming to resemble breasts, with the knots posed as nipples. Another photo showed what also looked like Kristi Noem’s husband wearing tight green leggings and a white top stretched over two huge inflatables.
He also sent online acquaintances at least $25,000 via Cash App and PayPal, according to the report.
In an interview with the British newspaper The Times, webcam model Lydia Love, who reportedly uses a stage name, alleged that Bryon Noem was a client of hers, saying: “I definitely remember his face, but there’s no way I could ever forget the fake chest.”
Representatives of Noem have spoken out following the report, telling the New York Post: “Ms. Noem is devastated. The family was blindsided by this, and they ask for privacy and prayers at the time.”
The Daily Mail also reported that when it reached Bryon Noem by telephone, he did not deny having explicit conversations or sharing photos of himself dressed as a woman, but denied making indiscreet comments about his wife and also that he could have endangered national security by exposing her to the threat of blackmail.
Other comedic sketches have also been made about Bryon Noem which are circulating on the social media platform X, as users have shared their shock over the reports.
What People Are Saying
President Donald Trump told the Daily Mail on Tuesday: “I feel badly for the family if that’s the case, that’s too bad. I haven’t seen anything. I don’t know anything about it. That’s too bad, but I just know nothing about it.”
Media personality and conservative commentator Megyn Kelly, wrote on X: “I’m glad Cricket doesn’t have to see this,” referring to the ex-DHS secretary’s dog.
Journalist and commentator Robby Soave, wrote on X: “I truly don’t understand this Bryon Noem situation, which has engendered universal mockery and scorn from every corner of the internet. This man dressed as a woman, solely in private, forcing no one else to participate unwilling in his fetish. For this he is attacked. Had he done it in public, requiring everyone to validate some delusion, would we have felt compelled to endorse his truth?”
