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I’m a former newspaper journalist, so when I hear people complaining about and blaming media for anything and everything, I get defensive.
But today I have a complaint of my own about most news outlets, specifically how they’ve covered the announcement of Kristi Noem’s divorce.
See if you see a pattern:
“Kristi Noem divorcing husband caught in sex-fetish, cross-dressing ‘secret life’
– The Mercury News
Kristi Noem is divorcing her husband after ‘bimbofication’ scandal, her mom reveals
– The Independent
Kristi Noem Divorcing Husband of 34 Years After His Double Life Was Exposed, Mom Confirms
– Yahoo News
Ex-DHS boss Kristi Noem divorcing husband Bryon after cross-dressing bombshell, mom says
– New York Post
Kristi Noem to divorce, mother says Kristi Noem is set to divorce her husband, only months after a news organization alleged he lived a ‘secret double life’ by cross-dressing.
– St. Cloud Times
It’s all the husband’s fault, see, because he has a little thang that a lot of people find either embarrassing or funny. By the way, this is how news works: You notice nobody is saying they are divorcing BECAUSE of the mister’s “double life.” No, they’re just giving context. But in most every outlet, Bryon Noem’s former secret is the most important, and sometimes the only, context made available.
Well, how ’bout this for some context:
Two protesters were shot and killed while she was head of Homeland Security. Before any time had passed for there to be an investigation, she concluded publicly that they were terrorists.
She used agency funds to buy Gulfstream jets to wherever she was needed for her photo opportunities in catchy outfits.
Again, using your tax dollars (or more likely your great-grandchildren’s tax dollars) she paid $220 million for an ad campaign which starred (you’ll never guess who) her. She told a congressional hearing that her boss knew all about it, which he denied.
She was the subject of repeated rumors that she and her aide Corey Lewendowsky were having an affair, which was frequently called the worst-kept secret in DC.
She flew to El Salvador for a photo op in front of a cell loaded with tattooed criminals after the original prison, which held deportees and at which she was to be photographed, did not have scary enough inmates.
She shot her dog and wrote about it as an example of her strong leadership. Let’s give a thought to Cricket. (Thanks to BBC for helpfully compiling the list above, not in the least quoted verbatim.)
She allowed a major Covid-spreading event: the 2020 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.
I could mention the state airplane, her new teeth and getting her daughter an appraiser’s license, but I would also have to add that nothing came of any investigations in those matters.
In short, let’s give Bryon Noem a break after all he’s been through. And let’s not assume that his off-work activities are the greatest part of the reason they’re getting divorced. And news outlets, how ’bout a little more context to go with those headlines.
Paul Sauser is a former journalist and public relations professional who publishes his observations, mostly political, at https://oldwhitelib.substack.com.
