In comments on social media, the reality star said because she’s in the “public eye,” legal proceedings involving her son are “different.”

Kate Gosselin explains why she won’t sue estranged son Collin for defamation

In comments on social media, the reality star said because she's in the "public eye," legal proceedings involving her son are "different."

By Leigh Blickley

June 30, 2026 2:18 p.m. ET

Kate Gosselin; Collin Gosselin. Credit:

David Buchan/Variety/Penske Media via Getty; Collin Gosselin/Instagram

- Kate Gosselin claims she can't sue her estranged son Collin because she's "a public figure."

- Kate spoke out about the legal advice after followers brought up Collin's upcoming memoir.

- Collin has claimed Kate was physically and emotionally abusive to him as a child.

Kate Gosselin is speaking out for the first time amid news her estranged son, Collin Gosselin, is releasing a memoir reportedly detailing the alleged physical and emotional abuse he suffered as a child under her care.

In the comments section of a TikTok video about her dog shared on Monday, Kate was asked by a follower: "If you are 100% certain that the accusations against you are lies, my suggestion would be to take him to court and sue him for defamation!"

The *Jon & Kate Plus 8** *star responded by claiming she can’t sue because she's "a public figure."

"Rules are different unfortunately. Or I def would!" she added before noting under another comment that "the rules are different for ppl in the public eye. I consulted a high power LA attorney (you’ve definitely heard of him) years ago when other ppl were putting crazy stuff out there and that’s what he said. The courts don’t honor it if you’re in the public eye :(."

When fellow commenters argued that her point wasn't true, considering both Donald Trump and Cardi B have sued for defamation "successfully," Kate said, "Not what I have been advised. I’m sure if you have millions it can possibly eventually be successful 🤣."

As others chimed in, Kate noted, "I’m just telling you what I was told when I consulted a legal expert."

** reached out to Kate's attorney, Richard Puelo, for a comment on the legal advice.

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In reference to the familial drama she's currently facing, Kate reassured fans that she's "fine" and stated, "Nothing surprises me anymore in that department 😳."

In another TikTok video shared Tuesday, Kate continued to comment on Collin and stood firm on her previous claims that he suffers from "multiple psychiatric diagnoses." (In 2016, she enrolled him in a program outside of the home to address his "special needs" and he was also later placed in a facility.)

"Sadly, only parents who have a mentally ill child understand! It’s so tough and I’m learning that ppl have NO ability to understand unless they’ve been through it themselves 🥰," Kate shared in the comments section.

'In the Shadow of Eight: Surviving the Reality of My Childhood' by Collin Gosselin.

Grand Central Publishing

Collin's father, Jon Gosselin, whom Kate divorced in 2009 and who secured custody of Collin and daughter Hannah, denied the aforementioned diagnoses in a 2023 episode of Vice TV's *Dark Side of the 2000s*. (Jon and Kate also share kids Alexis, Aaden, Leah, Joel, Mady, and Cara.) Jon claimed he spent $1 million to get Collin out of treatment, and said a doctor advised there's "no diagnosis yet" and that they're "gonna figure that out.”

Jon previously told the *Daily Mail* in 2019 that Collin had no known diagnosed medical condition at that time other than common ADHD.

***Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with our EW Dispatch newsletter.***

As for Collin, now 22, he said all of his mom's alleged lies will be revealed in his memoir, *In the Shadow of Eight: Surviving the Reality of My Childhood,* out on Oct. 13.

"Growing up, millions of people watched my life on television. People felt like they knew me. They knew my family. They watched me grow up. But there was so much they never saw," Collin wrote on Instagram while announcing the book. "For years, I kept those experiences to myself. Some because I was afraid. Some because I didn’t think anyone would believe me. And some because I just wasn’t ready. Writing this book forced me to revisit some of the hardest moments of my life, but it also gave me something I’ve been searching for for a long time: my voice."

He concluded, "This isn’t the story people think they know. It’s the story I’ve lived."

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