Why Tristan Thompson Is Being Called a Deadbeat Dad**
Tristan Thompson recently posted a heartfelt Instagram tribute for his daughter True’s seventh birthday, sharing sweet family moments with her and her brothers, Tatum and Prince.
But fans were quick to notice one glaring omission: there were no photos of his youngest son, Theo. This wasn’t the first time, and it’s reignited criticism of Tristan’s parenting and his relationship with his children.
Let’s break down why so many people are calling Tristan a “deadbeat dad.”
Tristan has four children with three different women: Prince with ex-girlfriend Jordan Craig, True and Tatum with Khloe Kardashian, and Theo with fitness model Maralee Nichols.
The drama around Theo’s birth is a big part of the story. Theo was born in 2021, just a month after Tristan and Khloe decided to have their second child via surrogate. At first, Tristan denied paternity and wanted nothing to do with Maralee or the pregnancy. But after a paternity test in January 2022 confirmed he was the father, Tristan issued a public apology and promised to take responsibility for Theo.
Despite these promises, fans have never seen Tristan spend time with Theo. While he shares photos and moments with his other kids, Theo is consistently left out. This absence hasn’t gone unnoticed—every time Tristan posts about his children, the comments are filled with people asking, “Where’s Theo?” and calling him out for ignoring his youngest son.
Financially, Tristan agreed in 2022 to pay Maralee $10,000 a month in child support. However, in March 2024, a judge ordered him to pay an additional $58,000 in back child support, suggesting he hasn’t always kept up with his obligations.
Some believe Tristan’s absence from Theo’s life is due to ongoing tension with Maralee. Others think he’s trying to maintain a certain image, especially given his close ties to the Kardashian-Jenner family.
Whatever the reason, many fans are concerned about the impact this will have on Theo as he grows up. No matter how perfect an Instagram feed looks, children remember who was present in their lives—and who wasn’t.
There’s also speculation about whether Maralee wants to keep Theo off social media, as she rarely posts his face. Still, critics argue that Tristan could at least acknowledge Theo publicly, even if he can’t share photos. A simple mention or birthday wish would go a long way.
At the end of the day, children deserve to know their siblings and feel included in their family. By not including Theo in family moments or even acknowledging him, Tristan risks leaving his son feeling like an outsider. Both parents bear responsibility:
Maralee’s decision to keep Theo out of the spotlight is understandable, but Tristan’s lack of visible involvement only fuels the “deadbeat dad” narrative.
Ultimately, the internet is watching—and judging. If Tristan wants to shake off the label, he’ll need to show up for all his children, not just the ones the world sees online. Otherwise, the criticism will only get louder, and the consequences for his children could last a lifetime.
