New York Times Reporter Shawn McCreesh on the Bryon Noem Story

Business Insider delivers the latest in tech, finance, and global news. Recently, a story concerning Bryon Noem, husband of former Homeland Security head Kristi Noem, gained national attention.

The Daily Mail Report and The New York Times' Response

On Tuesday, the Daily Mail published a report detailing allegations about Bryon Noem. Later that same day, Shawn McCreesh of The New York Times published a follow-up piece. McCreesh’s article featured quotes from friends and neighbors of the Noems, expressing surprise at the allegations of cross-dressing and communication with women other than his wife.

A Fortuitous Head Start

The story unfolded in Castlewood, South Dakota, a small town near the Noem family farm – a significant distance from Washington, D.C., where McCreesh is stationed as a White House reporter. McCreesh’s swift coverage was due to his proactive reporting; he had already arrived in South Dakota on Monday.

Why South Dakota?

McCreesh explained he sought approval from his editors to investigate Bryon Noem, believing his story was being overlooked amidst the scrutiny of Kristi Noem’s relationship with Corey Lewandowski. “For all the uproar in Washington over the Corey and Kristi saga, there was this big piece of the story just not being examined. And that was the fact of this woman’s husband. So I wanted to write about him,” McCreesh stated in a phone interview from Watertown, South Dakota.

The Value of Traditional Journalism

The situation highlights the importance of traditional reporting methods. McCreesh’s initial plan was to attempt an interview with Bryon Noem directly. He spent 24 hours speaking with residents of the town, friends, and long-time acquaintances of the couple.

McCreesh on the Daily Mail Story

When the Daily Mail story broke, McCreesh initially worried about being “blown out of the water.” However, he quickly realized it presented an opportunity. “This had suddenly become news, which it wasn’t before,” he said. He leveraged his existing connections, revisiting sources and gathering reactions to the new developments.

No Prior Knowledge of the Allegations

McCreesh confirmed he had no prior knowledge of the allegations before the Daily Mail report. “No idea. Hadn’t heard of it, didn’t know about it,” he stated. He had simply been interested in exploring the story of Kristi Noem’s husband.

Securing Editorial Support

He noted that The New York Times encourages creative reporting and supports its journalists. McCreesh acknowledged the privilege of working at an organization with the resources to allow him to pursue such a story.

A Unique Viral Moment

McCreesh also reflected on a recent viral moment involving a pointed question he asked Donald Trump about a school bombing in Iran. He described the overwhelmingly positive response, noting the absence of the usual backlash and negativity he typically experiences in politically charged situations.