Derick Dillard says that Jim Bob Duggar “ambushed” him and Jill.
Why? As a PR stunt to make it appear to be the household is on good phrases, apparently.
We lately reported on how Jill and Jim Bob appeared to hang around in the course of the household’s Christmas celebration.
In accordance with Derick, his broadly reviled father-in-law merely cornered him and his spouse on the massive household gathering … and it “occurred” to finish up on the web.
Jill Duggar and Derrick Dillard communicate right here as a part of a documentary on their household. (Picture Credit score: Amazon Prime)
Didn’t Jill Duggar have that ‘cozy’ photograph with Jim Bob Duggar? Kind of
An earlier Instagram put up by James Duggar confirmed dozens of Duggars in Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar’s huge lounge on the notorious Duggar compound.
Of specific be aware was one {photograph} of Jill, Derick, and Jim Bob.
The three had been seated collectively and seemed to be talking. After years of estrangement, it regarded like an indication that the Dillards had been rising nearer to Jill’s terrible dad — for higher or for worse.
Quite a few articles — together with ours — mentioned the photograph and the fan response.
This in fact included fan hypothesis that Jill and Jim Bob had been mending fences regardless of her traumatic childhood and her monetary wrongdoings that she described in interviews and in her memoir, Counting The Price.
Some followers felt inspired to see father and daughter supposedly getting alongside. Others felt horrified that Jill would possibly backslide into falling underneath that man’s affect once more. And Derick? Derick says that Jim Bob “ambushed” them for a deceptive photo-op.
On the “Shiny Blissful Folks” documentary, Jill Duggar tried to convey the advanced feelings that she nonetheless feels in direction of her horrible mother and father. Husband Derick Dillard was by her facet. (Picture Credit score: Amazon Prime)
Derick Dillard says that Jim Bob Duggar ‘ambushed’ him and Jill
After Folks shared a blurb concerning the photographs on Instagram, Derick Dillard penned a prolonged remark.
“I don’t assume being ambushed, by being unknowingly photographed with somebody you’re at odds with and don’t respect, is taken into account ‘mingling,’” he started.
“The reality is that Jim Bob approached me whereas we had been there on Christmas Day,” Derick clarified. “And that’s when the photograph was taken.”
In early January of 2025, Derick Dillard debunked a narrative that he and his spouse “mingled” together with his terrible father-in-law, describing the underhanded photo-op as an “ambush” as an alternative. (Picture Credit score: Instagram)
“I’ve spoken to Jim Bob lower than 10 minutes because the final time I used to be at that home over a 12 months in the past,” Derick Dillard detailed.
He added: “(and I occurred to be photographed, unbeknownst to me, by the identical particular person then as properly).” That particular person being James Duggar, who can also be an apologist for Jim Bob for some purpose.
“There have been over 100 individuals, the home is 8000 sq. toes, and Santa Clause was there,” Derick described. “So this isn’t your typical intimate household gathering.”
Jill Duggar spoke with followers on YouTube in September of 2023. (Picture Credit score: YouTube)
‘We’re attempting to be civil’
He defined: “We’re attempting to be civil for the sake of our household, however that doesn’t imply every little thing is all hunky dorey.” That is sensible.
“And,” Derick emphasised, “it positive doesn’t imply that I’m not going to remark when individuals attempt to warp actuality for their very own functions.”
This, for the report, is certainly one of many the explanation why so many individuals go no-contact with a poisonous father or mother somewhat than merely holding them at a secure distance. Jim Bob isn’t the one indefensible dirtbag who’s used civility as a weapon to make issues look higher than they’re. He simply occurs to be extra well-known than most.
