Katie Bates Clark has released a statement regarding her husband Travis Clark‘s recent admission that he had an affair, with the Bringing Up Bates star telling fans that she’s not sure what she’s going to do in regard to her marriage.
As The Ashley previously reported, Katie announced on Saturday that she had suffered a miscarriage. Just hours later, Travis— with whom she shares a two-year-old daughter and one-year-old son— posted a statement to Instagram Stories, confessing that he had an affair and “repeatedly broke” Katie’s trust, insinuating that his cheating wasn’t a one-time thing.
Despite several of Katie’s siblings seemingly shading Travis on social media, Katie had remained silent about Travis’ confession…until Monday night.
Katie— who is the 11th of Gil and Kelly Jo Bates‘ 19 children— took to Instagram to post a lengthy statement, thanking fans for their support but admitting that she doesn’t know if she will remain in her marriage or not. She did reveal, though, that she has legal counsel and that she will not take the decision to stay in the marriage or not lightly.
“This is not how I imagined beginning this year or this new season of our lives,” Katie’s statement reads. “This has been an incredibly painful time for me and our family. As many now know, our marriage has been deeply hurt and my trust has been broken. I am taking life one day at a time and focusing on what matters most: our children, their future, and my own healing.”
Katie stated that Travis informed her of his affair before he posted it to social media.
“After privately expressing deep regret and sorrow for his actions, Travis told me he felt it was important to publicly take accountability for what he has done, and I support his decision and desire for transparency,” Katie— who did a very popular family YouTube vlog with Travis up until last month—wrote.
Katie told fans that she and Travis are doing counseling together, as well as individually, to “try to determine the best path forward for our family.
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“I am also being supported by legal counsel,” she continued. “This is not a quick or easy process, and it is not one I am taking lightly. Every decision about our future will be made slowly and carefully, with what is best for our family and our children as the highest priority.
“At the same time, I do believe in God’s power to restore, and my heart’s desire is to preserve our marriage. Because this so deeply personal and there is still so much to work through, I sincerely ask for privacy,” Katie wrote, adding that she may not respond to advice and opinions people are sending her.
Katie also advised fans that she will have to continue to post to social media, given that she has work commitments she can’t cancel.
“I realize that life has to go on even through hardships and difficult situations, and I appreciate your grace and understanding during this time,” Katie wrote, finishing off her statement with Psalm 55:22, “Cast thy burden upon the Lord and He shall sustain thee.”
Katie turned off the post’s comment section, but Travis “liked” Katie’s post.
As The Ashley previously reported, Travis took full responsibility for his affair in the statement he posted on Saturday.
“This is hard to write, but I owe the truth and I owe an apology,” the post began. “I was unfaithful to my wife. I had an affair and repeatedly broke her trust. There is no excuse for what I did. This was my failure and my responsibility alone.
“I know that words don’t began to express the damage I caused or the depth of the hurt I’ve brought into her life, but I am truly sorry,” Travis continued. “I’m sorry for the pain, humiliation, and betrayal I caused my wife through my choices. “I understand that am apology doesn’t repair what I broke, and forgiveness is not something I deserve or can ask for.”
Travis also revealed that he is getting help, although he didn’t specify what kind of treatment he was undergoing.
“I am taking responsibility by getting help and doing the work to change and become a more honest and accountable man, regardless of outcome,” he added. “I ask for privacy and grace for Katie as she processes this in her own time.”
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Travis and Katie have been married since December 2021. They met when Travis sent Katie a private message on Instagram, and their courtship was featured on ‘Bringing Up Bates.’ The couple— who is part of the IBLP fundamental religious cult— purchased a home in Tennessee in January 2025, and Travis has been attending nursing school.
Just one month ago, Katie gushed about Travis and their relationship in honor of their fourth wedding anniversary.
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“Forever grateful that God allowed our paths to cross,” she wrote on Instagram. “From the day I met you, my whole world shifted. These past four years of marriage have truly felt like a dream. You’ve made me stronger, better, and braver, and I’m so thankful I get to walk through life with you. I love you, always. Happy Anniversary @travis.clark”
(Photos: YouTube; Instagram)
9 Responses
The statement he released doesn’t sound like he wants to reconcile. It kinda sounds like he’s walking away. She may not get a choice to forgive him or not.
Her getting legal counsel and openly admitting that she doesn’t know what will happen with their marriage, along with some of her siblings throwing shade at him, gives me a little hope that she won’t be a doormat and let this slide.
Gillman and Kelly Jo may be a part of the same church cult as the Duggars, but they also seem to love and support their kids living their own lives, so I actually think they’d be supportive if she chose to divorce him, especially since adultery is usually considered one of the few Biblical grounds for it.
*Gil
The fact that she is having legal counsel gives me one tiny bit of hope…but who are we kidding, she will prob take him back. Or maybe even HE will decide that the marriage must end. (Some people speculate over this cuz he made it so public, dude has millions of followers I think) And then proclaim the love to the girl he cheated with (btw, apparently she was also at their Christmas party which means he BROUGHT HIS MISTRESS INTO THEIR HOME, I am speechless)
🐸☕
Cheating doesn’t just happen by accident. No one has an affair without thinking about the consequences to their spouse and children beforehand. He made a conscious decision to cheat multiple times. That isn’t a mistake, that’s a character flaw. Nothing Katie can do will fix this because she didn’t cause this. He does not respect her the way a spouse should be respected. He has shown you who he is girl, act accordingly. Don’t forgive him, bring more kids into the world and be in the same situation 5 years from now. Or worse, be in a situation like Anna. He doesn’t love you the way your deserve.
The fact that she retained counsel is surprising given how these families tend to operate. Even if she ends up staying, she is apparently taking steps to protect herself.
The fact that their children are so young means that he has been cheating on her while she was pregnant and/or postpartum. That just adds another level of scumminess. I hope she gets herself tested.
Legal counsel. I am SHOOK.