Jim Bob And Michelle Duggar Ignore Daughters’ Trauma From Son Josh

19 Kids And Counting patriarch Jim Bob Duggar and matriarch Michelle Duggar recently slammed Prime Video’s documentary exposing the famous family’s darkest secrets. But Jim Bob’s niece, Amy King, feels that the couple erred in deciding to bash “Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets.” And Amy believes that their response demonstrates what she views as “narcissistic gaslighting.”

Find out why Amy criticized both Jim Bob and Michelle for their responses to the documentary about the Duggar family. And learn what she thinks they should have done instead. Get all the details below.

Amy King – Slams Uncle Jim Bob Duggar For ‘Gaslighting’

After Prime Video released its four-episode documentary “Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets,” 19 Kids and Counting matriarch Michelle and patriarch Jim Bob Duggar spoke out against it. And the couple slammed it as “sad” because of its “ill intentions.” However, Jim Bob’s niece Amy King feels that Michelle and Jim Bob missed an opportunity to “kind of be humble,” according to People.

The documentary focuses on the Duggar family’s religion. And it also exposes Jim Bob and Michelle’s oldest son, Josh Duggar, and his scandals. In 2015, Josh confessed that he molested several underage girls, including his sisters Jill and Jessa. And in 2021, Josh was convicted of child pornography offenses.

However, while their oldest son serves his 12-year prison sentence, the documentary exploring his life and that of his family “hurt people we love,” complained Josh’s parents. And Michelle and Jim Bob shared that their family “has experienced the joys and heartbreaks of life, just in a very public format. This ‘documentary’ paints so much and so many in a derogatory and sensationalized way,” the 19 Kids And Counting couple added. “Because sadly that’s the direction of entertainment these days.”

But Amy, 36, feels that these statements represent “gaslighting.” And she shared, “I feel like this is the moment where [Jim Bob and Michelle] could have said, like, ‘We made mistakes,’ right? I mean, it’s for the whole world to see. The entire world is seeing this documentary. Or I hope so. And for me, I was just like, It’s your chance to kind of be humble about it.”

Amy Duggar King Says Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar Should Be 'Humble' After Putting Daughters 'Through Hell' https://t.co/IjdU6B2mP4

— People (@people) June 15, 2023

Duggar Parents Ignored Daughters’ Trauma

However, Amy also noticed that Jim Bob and Michelle never mentioned their daughters who Josh molested. “And instead, not once did they mention the survivors, not once did they show any kind of turmoil,” added Amy. “It’s like they don’t believe it. They just, like, are living in like, you know, their head in the clouds and not really thinking of the people that are actually hurting that went through hell, including their own daughters.” 

As a result, Amy views the situation as “just really sad. And for me, it is gaslighting. It’s just completely being narcissistic about it.” But Jim Bob’s niece also admitted that she does not think that he or Michelle will change their mindset. The Duggar couple remain dedicated followers of the Institute in Basic Life Principles (IBLP). However, Jinger Duggar described that as “cult-like.” 

And Amy shared that she feels that the Duggar parents face choices. “You know, I wish it didn’t have to be like this. But if you’re not going to speak the truth and be honest, then obviously the truth is going to come out somehow,” she pointed out. However, Amy revealed that she and her cousin Jill, 32, stay in touch. “We talk quite a bit. We have play dates with our boys and we text and we encourage each other.”

Tell us what you think. Do you view Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar as gaslighting? And after you share your views, check back on our site for more reality TV news.