Summary
- A childhood scuffle between siblings John David and Josh was revealed by a former friend in a Reddit AMA.
- John David criticized Josh publicly after scandals emerged, declared he no longer wanted to be like him.
- The relationship is unclear between John David and Josh post-sentencing, and there is little known about the interactions between Duggar siblings.
With Josh Duggar behind bars for more than 12 years, it falls to John David, the next oldest sibling, to more or less lead the Duggar family. Despite how close all the siblings used to be, before Josh's scandals, those crimes seem to have fractured the siblings, with many speaking up about their childhoods and negative experiences.
One such negative experience might have been a fight between Josh and John David Duggar, according to an insider who knew the family years ago. Here, we'll look at the rumored fist fight between John David and Josh Duggar. Then, we'll look at what John David has said about Josh over the years, as well as where their relationship stands after all the drama.
A Duggar Insider Claims John David And Josh Duggar Got Into A Physical Fight
A former friend of the family revealed a childhood scuffle between the siblings
Although the Duggars keep most of their business very private — including Josh's early crimes, until a friend ratted him out — some former friends of the family have spilled details about them. One person who says they grew up with Josh Duggar revealed during a Reddit AMA that John David and Josh Duggar feuded as teens.
The insider wrote, "I saw Josh and John David fight once (like, a real fight). John David held his own pretty well. When he gets mad he turns into the Wolverine."
A Former Friend Of Josh Duggar's Was Shocked To Be Called As A Witness (But Proved Josh's Story Didn't Add Up)
A former friend of Josh Duggar's was called as a witness, and his testimony may have proven that Josh was lying.
Given the short timeframe of their AMA, the former friend of the Duggars didn't come back around to elaborate on the rumored fight, but commenters had their own thoughts about the on-screen dynamic between Josh and John David.
Some suggested that John David was one of the 'realest' of the Duggar family members, although he didn't get enough time in the limelight because he wasn't as well-spoken as Josh.
Others thought that as the family's 'golden child,' Josh Duggar received far more attention than any of the other kids — including John David — despite his wrongdoings.
John David Criticized Josh After His Scandals Came To Light
After Josh's original scandal was publicized, John David dragged his brother
Most members of the Duggar family kept Josh's issues quiet all through the family's filming of their reality show. But when the accusation that Josh molested his sisters came to light, some family members were quick to admit he was far from perfect.
While his sisters had to relive the abuse during an interview with Josh in the room, some siblings opted out.
How Many Of The Duggars Have Moved Far Away From Home (And Why)?
Did any of the Duggar family's kids take the first opportunity to move away from their home in Arkansas? Not necessarily.
While Josh's parents Michelle and Jim Bob have stood by him and hired lawyers on his behalf, John David made his thoughts on Josh very clear years before Josh went to prison.
Around the time that Josh Duggar's cheating scandal (and Ashley Madison membership) went public, John David declared he no longer wanted to be like his older brother.
I’ve got a whole bunch of younger siblings looking up to me and I’ve got to be an example to them. Because whatever I am, that’s what they want to be. That’s what it was for me and Josh. I always wanted to be like him. But, one of the toughest things I ever had to tell my older brother was, ‘I don’t want to be like you anymore.'
Since then, it doesn't appear that John David has made a public statement about Josh, not even when his brother was sentenced to over a decade behind bars.
Do John David And Josh Duggar Have A Relationship Today?
With Josh Duggar behind bars, it's unclear who visits (or supports) him
It's thought that John David and Josh no longer have a relationship, especially after John David dragged his older brother. Since Josh was incarcerated, John David seems to have stepped into the role of 'oldest brother,' as he was next in line after Josh (along with twin Jana).
Jana has also stepped up for her siblings, with many fans assuming Jana won't move out of the Duggar home until all her younger siblings have. But when it comes to the relationships between the siblings, little is known about how the other Duggar kids handle Josh.
Michelle Duggar Once Lost Her Voice Yelling At Her Kids, According To A Duggar Insider
An anonymous person who grew up with Josh Duggar hinted at Michelle Duggar's 'scary' parenting and the fact that she lost her voice yelling.
While Josh's wife Anna has been spotted visiting Josh behind bars, it's not known which siblings may have visited. Some siblings were present at Josh's trial, including Jed, but John David was not mentioned.
To date, it doesn't appear that John David Duggar has posted anything about Josh on his Instagram (shared with wife Abbie), but he has praised his grandparents, captioning a photo of them with, "Grandparents make the world ... a little softer, a little kinder, a little warmer."
