YouTube user Jesse Ridgway and his wife Ashley sparked controversy by revealing their decision to have an abortion.
They announced in a June 2026 Instagram post that Ashley had an abortion because their unborn child had been diagnosed with fetal Down syndrome. (Down syndrome is also known as Trisomy 21.)
“This week, my wife and I made the very difficult decision to terminate a pregnancy due to Trisomy 21,” Jesse wrote on his Instagram Stories on June 3, 2026. “The decision was not made lightly. We are so grateful for all the personal stories you share with us, especially the unconditional support we receive from fans no matter what we decide.”
An outcry followed, with the Ridgways receiving death threats and other abuse on social media. The backlash got so bad that Jesse revealed that he and Ashley started sleeping with a gun next to their bed just to be safe.
Keep scrolling for the full timeline of the Ridgways' relationship and their controversial decision to have an abortion:
Jesse Ridgway and Ashley Started Dating in 2019
In October 2019, Jesse Ridgway – known as McJuggerNuggets on social media – went public with his new girlfriend, Ashley May, after four days of dating.
“[She’s] the girl of my dreams,” Jesse gushed on the vlog at the time. It's official!”
The two first met on Tinder.
Jesse Ridgway Proposed to Ashley in October 2024
The couple revealed in an October 2024 vlog that Jesse popped the question after dating Ashley for five years.
“Ashley and I are getting married … which is weird to say,” Jesse admitted. “Five years of dating guys … I laid it all out. I called her 'the girl of my dreams,' and it was a really cool, romantic video.”
Ashley and Jesse Ridgway
Courtesy YouTube / McJuggerNuggetsAshley revealed that, “[He] even during the week we are dating, very well, that we will get married and have children. Dating week!”
Jesse and Ashley Ridgway Married in October 2025
Jesse tied the knot with Ashley on October 06, 2025, in a sunset beach ceremony in Ocean City, New Jersey.
“We're officially married,” Jesse announced in a subsequent vlog, as Ashley happily entered. “Holy lunatic!”
Jesse admitted that the newlyweds chose a “run with the gun” wedding where only a few loved ones knew in advance.
“This was very secretive,” he told viewers. “My whole life is in the public eye.”
Ashley added, “We just wanted something intimate.”
The Ridgways Confirmed They Were Expecting A Child In March 2026
Ashley and Jesse shared on Instagram in March 2026 that they were expecting their first child. The couple posted a carousel of sonogram photos, with the caption, “BABY RIDGWAY – COMING FALL 2026.”
Jesse and Ashley Ridgway Share Their Unborn Child's Down's Syndrome in Vlog
In April 2026, Ashley and Jesse released a video where they learned on camera that their child had been diagnosed with Down syndrome.
“We were so excited to celebrate the sexuality on display in the Psycho video with you guys, but in reality 'art imitates life' – fashion … should have had a darker twist,” Jesse wrote on Instagram in April. “The same genetic test that told us our baby would be a boy revealed to us that he had a 95 percent chance of being born with Down Syndrome.”
He continued, “Syndrome has a very high risk of miscarriage and often comes with heart defects, structural abnormalities, growth problems, short life span, etc.”
“As much as we've enjoyed parenthood, this was a gut-punch … We want the best for our first child … and putting Ashley at risk … so many questions and concerns,” she continued.
Jesse and Ashley Ridgway.
Courtesy of Ashley Ridgeway / InstagramAt the time, Jesse said he believed that “the percentage of down syndrome is hidden and that our baby boy will be born with no health problems.”
“We will be getting an amniocentesis in about a month to give a definite answer about the baby's health, until then we will have faith that everything will go well,” he confirmed. “Thank you for being with us on this journey. Whatever happens, happens.”
The Ridgways Announce Their Decision to Terminate Ashley's Pregnancy
The June 2026 letter confirming Ashley had an abortion was filled with abusive language and threats, including accusing the Ridgways of “murder.”
“I know some of you may be very disappointed to hear this news. We are devastated,” Jesse admitted in an Instagram post on June 3, 2026. “This is very heartbreaking for both of us, especially Ashley.”
She shared that “everything went well” with Ashley's abortion procedure, although they both felt “out of control.”
“When I first came across this news, I was shocked but hopeful. I signed up to be a parent no matter what. I didn't fully understand what Down syndrome involved.”
Jesse and Ashley's perspective on carrying a child to term changed when they learned about the health problems that can accompany Down's syndrome.
“I didn't realize how bad it was for the child, let alone the family,” the organizer wrote in his statement. “We talked to doctors, friends, family and genetic counselors and found that about 90 percent of women terminate their pregnancy after learning that the child has Trisomy 21. … You never think you could be in this situation until it happens to you and things change.”
Jesse continued: “We made a difficult decision that we believe will benefit our family in the long run. We are thankful that we had a choice. It will take us a while to move forward, but we are happy to try again in the future and hope to have a better outcome.”
Jesse and Ashley Ridgway Take Precautions Amid Death Threats
Appearing on TMZ Live on June 5, 2026, Jesse and Ashley confirmed that they were taking the death threats seriously.
“With the death threats and everything, it's been shocking,” Jesse said. “People who are close to us judge us a lot [people] we say we will burn in hell. 'We deserve to die.'
He continued, “We had- [security] gate installed. I have a gun next to my nightstand because it's been a little silly too [threats] they've been coming in emails, DMs, you name it. We have seen the darkest side of humanity through this process.”
Despite the disagreement, Ashley insisted that she does not regret her decision to have an abortion.
Jesse and Ashley Ridgway Talk About Many Conspiracy Theories
Jesse engaged directly with the opposition throughout the debate, and even tried to debunk conspiracy theories that emerged on social media.
“Ya'all can't even keep your stories straight, it's crazy,” she wrote on June 7. “Was she 6 months pregnant or 3 months pregnant? 18 weeks or 21 weeks? Was it a Definitive Down Syndrome diagnosis or just suspected? All the information is already provided by us, but everyone just picks, chooses or makes up their own narrative.***
“As we enter the critical age of social media, people will forget to think for themselves. The conspiracy rabbit holes deepen as people begin to wonder if it was all true or false…?” he added. “I'm zooming in on ultrasound pictures and my wife's belly? Internet searchers are putting in extra time to find their own tail. And we're the ones with the problem… 🙄”
Jesse and Ashley Ridgway Reveal Their Families' Reaction to Abortion
In a June 8 Facebook video, Jesse and Ashley shared photos from the night after her amputation procedure.
“Was this your parents? That's really cool,” Ashley said to her husband in the video. “It says, 'Life is hard but so are you. This bracelet represents the waves of life you've gone through. … You can't stop the waves but you can learn to ride them.'”
A number of celebrities – with and without children – have been open about having abortions over the years. After the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June 2022, tons of stars took to social media to express their displeasure with the decision. Cheryl Burke revealed that she had it there […]
However, the couple revealed that Ashley's parents were “nowhere to be found” after the dispute.
“The others [in her family] he even went as far as to act of hatred in the MIDDLE, kicking him when he was at his lowest,” said Jesse. “He received phone messages from his family accusing me of abuse and that I'm breaking his mind… making decisions that he needs to LEAVE ME ASAP. Audious s*** that will have your head spinning due to deception and lack of consideration. “
Jesse Ridgway Said The Hatred He And Ashley Got Was Unprecedented
Jesse released a new statement on People on June 10 where she tried to give more insight into why she and Ashley chose to abort her pregnancy.
“We were dealing with the situation of having a baby, and we were talking about all the scenarios about what it would look like and how we would make it work, what if they had health problems, and they needed this surgery,” Jesse emphasized. “It was a real thing for us. I wish people would sympathize with us, and know that this was not a black and white decision.”
The YouTuber admitted that he and Ashley were completely unprepared for the social media abuse they received.
“I've been making content for 20 years, so we've seen hate before. But not at this level,” Jesse said. “Every second is a new threat of death for me and my wife.
