YouTuber Jesse Ridgway says he and his wife Ashley Ridgway have received numerous death threats since revealing their decision to abort their pregnancy.
The couple made the decision after learning that their fetus was likely to be born with Down syndrome.
The YouTuber, known online as Mac Jugger Nuggets, posted a lengthy statement on his Instagram Story on Thursday defending his “disgusting” wife.
“I have never seen such hatred and vitriol for two people who grieved the loss of an unborn child and made an impossible decision. The last 24 hours have exposed a deeply disturbing side of humanity. They have been called ‘a murderous piece of evil compared to Hitler’ and receive constant death threats,” he wrote.
Jesse continued, “What’s even more troubling is that so many people try to justify God and Jesus to threaten us and throw us into hell…It seems pretty hypocritical.”
He also argued that “many of the people who throw stones don’t even have children, let alone children with pre-existing conditions, who will probably never do what they say they will do.”
“Several very large accounts have said heinous things about my wife and I… I’m baffled that people with significant followings can be so shitty. If you can’t contribute anything meaningful to the conversation other than insults, don’t post.”
The 33-year-old said it was “amazing” and “so brave” that other parents chose to keep their babies with Down syndrome, but said he hoped they would “accept our differences, even if it doesn’t actually affect your life”.
“More than a million abortions are performed every year for myriad reasons. This happens every day, with trisomy 21 being the most common outcome. Yet this explosion of abortions has surprised people…? The reason this has exploded is very simple: Because no one talks about it.”
“You can’t blame people for not speaking publicly about these vulnerable experiences, because you’re seeing the backlash of hate that ensues. It’s very divisive. Fortunately, having been active on the internet for 20 years, this is part of my course in challenging crazy people, so I’m happy to help move the conversation further. That’s exactly why I wanted to share this story,” he explained.
Jessie said she hoped they would “encourage others to be more open-minded so we can all come to understanding” and that despite all the hate, she was “grateful that the discussion about our decision has spread so widely.”
He urged others who “face similar situations in the future” to reach out for comfort, and also said that he and Ashley are “trying to have another child in the near future.”
“Thank you to everyone who has supported us during this difficult time and defended our choices as parents. It means more than you can ever imagine. And my wife is a terrible person. Not only has she been through this trauma, but she’s dealing with all the weirdos on the internet with ease. I love you, baby. Let’s look to the future!” he concluded.
Jesse and Ashley announced earlier this week that they had made the “difficult decision” to terminate the pregnancy.
The couple, who got married in October 2025, first revealed that they are expecting a child in March.
In April, the couple shared that genetic testing revealed that their baby had a 95% chance of being born with Down syndrome. In a statement, the internet personality explained that she was not only concerned about Ashley’s health, but also the health of her unborn child.
Trisomy 21, also known as Down syndrome, is a “genetic disorder in which people are born with an extra chromosome,” according to the CDC.
The two called the fetal diagnosis “gut-wrenching” and “a very sensitive issue.”
