Derick Dillard says that Jim Bob Duggar “ambushed” him and Jill.
Why? As a PR stunt to make it seem like the household is on good phrases, apparently.
We just lately reported on how Jill and Jim Bob appeared to hang around through the household’s Christmas celebration.
In line with Derick, his broadly reviled father-in-law merely cornered him and his spouse on the massive household gathering … and it “happened” to finish up on the web.
Jill Duggar and Derrick Dillard converse 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? Type of
An earlier Instagram submit by James Duggar confirmed dozens of Duggars in Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar’s huge front room on the notorious Duggar compound.
Of specific notice was one {photograph} of Jill, Derick, and Jim Bob.
The three have been seated collectively and seemed to be talking. After years of estrangement, it seemed like an indication that the Dillards have 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 after all included fan hypothesis that Jill and Jim Bob have been mending fences regardless of her traumatic childhood and her monetary wrongdoings that she described in interviews and in her memoir, Counting The Value.
Some followers felt inspired to see father and daughter supposedly getting alongside. Others felt horrified that Jill may 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 Happy People” documentary, Jill Duggar tried to convey the advanced feelings that she nonetheless feels in direction of her horrible dad and mom. Husband Derick Dillard was by her facet. (Picture Credit score: Amazon Prime)
Derick Dillard says that Jim Bob Duggar ‘ambushed’ him and Jill
After Individuals shared a blurb in regards to the pictures on Instagram, Derick Dillard penned a prolonged remark.
“I don’t think being ambushed, by being unknowingly photographed with someone you’re at odds with and do not respect, is considered ‘mingling,’” he started.
“The truth is that Jim Bob approached me while we were there on Christmas Day,” Derick clarified. “And that is when the photo 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 have spoken to Jim Bob less than 10 minutes since the last time I was at that house over a year ago,” Derick Dillard detailed.
He added: “(and I happened to be photographed, unbeknownst to me, by the same person then as well).” That particular person being James Duggar, who can also be an apologist for Jim Bob for some motive.
“There were over 100 people, the house is 8000 square feet, and Santa Clause was there,” Derick described. “So this isn’t your typical intimate family 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 trying to be civil for the sake of our family, but that doesn’t mean everything is all hunky dorey.” That is smart.
“And,” Derick emphasised, “it sure doesn’t mean that I’m not going to comment when people try to warp reality for their own purposes.”
This, for the document, is one in all many the reason why so many individuals go no-contact with a poisonous father or mother slightly than merely maintaining them at a secure distance. Jim Bob shouldn’t be 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.