Duggar Feud Not Over: Derek Dillard Reveals Jim Bob’s ‘Propaganda’ Christmas Photo

Derek Dillard has spoken out to clarify the context behind a recent photo shared by James Duggar that showed him in a conversation with Jim Bob Duggar at the family’s Christmas gathering. The image led to media reports that Derek and Jill Dillard had “squashed their beef” with the Duggar patriarch.

Derek strongly stated that the feud is not over and the photo was part of an alleged “social media PR game” orchestrated by Jim Bob to mislead the public.

The Christmas Photo Controversy

The photo, posted by James Duggar, captured a brief exchange between Derek and Jim Bob, which immediately sparked controversy among followers who questioned why the outspoken couple was associating with Jim Bob, whom they have heavily criticized (including in their book, Counting the Cost).

Derek Dillard revealed the following:

• Propaganda: He believes the photo was deliberately chosen and released to be propaganda by Jim Bob, aimed at casting doubt on Jill and Derek’s sincerity and making it appear as though the family divide has been healed.
• Minimal Contact: Derek confirmed that the time captured in the photo was one of the only times they had seen Jim Bob all year, and their interaction lasted for only about five minutes.
• The Intentional Snap: He suggested it was not a coincidence that someone captured a photograph during that brief interaction, and that James Dugger may have been manipulated into sharing the photo strategically.

The Subject of the Disagreement

The short conversation between Derek (a lawyer) and Jim Bob was not a happy reunion but a heated disagreement over constitutional law, specifically concerning the limits of a presidential pardon:

• The Pardon: Derek stated that Jim Bob was challenging him on the basics of constitutional law, specifically believing that Donald Trump would be able to pardon Josh Duggar for his federal conviction.
• Arrogance: Derek found Jim Bob’s attitude deeply frustrating and arrogant, saying he now understands “exactly where Josh got his arrogance,” suggesting that Josh models his controlling and arrogant behavior after his father.

Derek was annoyed that a photo of this five-minute fight about Josh’s fate is now being used by the media to claim the family feud is over, insisting “nothing has changed” regarding their relationship with Jim Bob.

A Recurring Pattern

Derek noted that this is the second year in a row that James Duggar has posted a photo of them at the big house, causing public confusion.

Last year’s similar photo was taken when Jill and Derek attended Jeremiah and Hannah Duggar’s daughter’s birthday party. Derek revealed that Jim Bob had tried to ban them from the house multiple times since the book’s release, and attempted to get them uninvited to the previous year’s birthday celebration as well.

Despite Jim Bob’s alleged attempts to control who attends family events, Jill and Derek continue to go to see other siblings and cousins, demonstrating their commitment to maintaining relationships with other family members while keeping their distance from Jim Bob.