Teen Mom OG: Ryan Edwards Slams Maci Bookout Amid Bentley’s Therapy Request, Accusing Her of “Lies”

The long-standing tension between Ryan Edwards and Maci Bookout, two of the original stars of MTV’s hit reality series Teen Mom OG, continues to escalate, reaching a new peak in an upcoming episode set to air tonight, February 2nd. In a highly anticipated and exclusive sneak-peek obtained by HollywoodLife, Ryan doesn’t hold back, launching a scathing verbal attack on his ex. He openly expresses his exasperation, declaring himself “tired” of what he perceives as Maci’s “alleged ‘lies’ and ‘problems’,” painting a grim picture of their fractured co-parenting dynamic.

In a particularly shocking moment from the clip, Ryan goes so far as to lament his 11-year-old son Bentley‘s upbringing, stating he feels “sorry” that Bentley has to “grow up” with Maci. This incendiary remark was made during a discussion surrounding Bentley’s heartfelt wish to attend therapy sessions alongside his father – a request that, instead of fostering reconciliation, appears to fuel Ryan’s suspicions. Throughout this confrontation, Ryan is notably seen wearing a Donald Trump hat, a subtle yet potent visual detail that might hint at his personal views and how they potentially intersect with his public persona and family conflicts. His primary concern, as articulated in the clip, is an underlying belief that Maci harbors ulterior motives behind Bentley’s suggestion for counseling, leading him to question the authenticity of the situation.

Before Ryan unleashes his critical remarks in the preview, the scene initially opens on Maci Bookout taking a proactive step: she initiates a video call with her longtime friend and fellow Teen Mom co-star, Tyler Baltierra. Tyler, famously known as the husband of Catelynn Lowell, is approached by Maci for his invaluable advice. Maci explains her reasoning to MTV viewers, highlighting that since Bentley has expressed a strong desire to attend therapy to mend his strained relationship with his father, she felt Tyler was the perfect confidant. This is largely due to Tyler’s own well-documented struggles and lifelong journey of navigating a complex relationship with his father, Butch, whose own challenges have been a central theme in their segment of the show for years. Maci hopes to glean insights from Tyler’s personal experience on how to best support Bentley through this emotionally charged process.

Tyler, known for his empathetic and insightful nature, responds with profound admiration for Bentley. He gushes that Bentley “deserves the biggest trophy to be this self-aware,” acknowledging the immense maturity and emotional intelligence it takes for a young boy to recognize the need for therapy and vocalize it. Tyler reiterates his immense pride in Maci’s son, commending his courage and initiative. However, the tone dramatically shifts when the teaser clip transitions to a scene at the home Ryan Edwards shares with his wife, Mackenzie Edwards, and their two young children: Jagger, 2, and Stella, 1. Here, Bentley’s father, Ryan, does not echo Tyler’s enthusiasm; instead, he greets the news of therapy with a palpable air of skepticism and discontent, setting the stage for yet another contentious chapter in their co-parenting saga.

In a candid conversation with Mackenzie, Ryan recounts how Maci had informed his mother, and subsequently him, that Bentley wished for them to engage in counseling. While Ryan initially concedes, “If he says that that’s how he feels, then you know that’s fine,” his immediate follow-up question betrays his deep-seated distrust: “but is it all your momma’s bullsh-t?” This loaded question clearly implies his suspicion that Bentley’s desire might not be entirely his own, but rather a reflection of Maci’s influence or agenda. Mackenzie, Ryan’s wife, appears to share his skepticism regarding the upcoming therapy session. She vocalizes her disbelief and frustration, stating that her “mind’s been blown beyond measure.” This comment strongly suggests a lingering resentment and reference to past drama and ongoing conflicts with Maci, indicating that their strained relationship is built on a foundation of historical grievances rather than current events alone.

Ryan’s frustration boils over as he vents his feelings to Mackenzie, expressing his exhaustion with what he perceives as manufactured turmoil. “I’m tired of having made up stories and lies and problems, I’m over that. I’m not going to do it,” he declares vehemently. This statement underscores his belief that Maci is fabricating issues, rather than genuinely seeking resolution through therapy. He then proceeds to openly criticize his ex even further, showcasing the depth of his animosity, which viewers can observe in its entirety within the full teaser. Despite Ryan’s strong objections and clear reluctance, the counseling session for Bentley and his father is, paradoxically, already scheduled and set to proceed, highlighting the complex and often contradictory nature of their co-parenting challenges, where Bentley’s needs often clash with his parents’ unresolved issues.

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Maci Bookout with her and Ryan’s son, Bentley. (Courtesy of Instagram/@macideshanebookout)

The Roots of Conflict: Bentley’s Plea and Ryan’s Resistance

The current push for therapy isn’t an isolated incident but rather a continuation of a storyline that unfolded in a previous Jan. 26 episode of Teen Mom OG. In that episode, Maci revealed that Bentley had already expressed a poignant desire for Ryan to seek professional help for his well-documented addiction issues. This crucial request from his son was directly linked to Bentley’s subsequent refusal to spend time with his father, creating a painful rift in their relationship. However, Ryan and his parents, Jen and Larry, interpreted Bentley’s stance differently. They harbored strong suspicions that Maci was not genuinely acting in Bentley’s best interest but was instead manipulating their son, using his emotional well-being as a pawn in their ongoing disputes to push her own agenda regarding Ryan’s recovery. This belief forms the bedrock of Ryan’s current accusations of “lies” and “problems.”

Ryan’s intensely negative opinion of Maci, whom he split from way back in 2010 when Bentley was just a toddler, is hardly a secret to long-time viewers of Teen Mom OG. Their co-parenting relationship has been consistently fraught with tension, misunderstandings, and outright hostility for over a decade. Maci herself provided significant insight into this dynamic during an EXCLUSIVELY speaking interview with HollywoodLife in March of 2020. She directly attributed their issues to having “zero communication” with each other, explaining that this profound lack of dialogue made it “hard for him to get a real look” at the situation from her perspective or Bentley’s. Maci starkly emphasized their inability to communicate, stating, “we don’t speak to each other” since Ryan simply “couldn’t speak” to her. This communication breakdown was further complicated by the fact that, at the time of the interview, Maci’s two-year restraining order against Ryan, which she obtained in May of 2018, was still actively in effect. The conversation with HollywoodLife took place a little over a year after Ryan was arrested in January 2019 for “theft of services under $1,000” and, more critically, for violating his probation in a prior possession of heroin case. These legal troubles and the restraining order underscore the severity of the issues that have plagued Maci and Ryan’s relationship far beyond mere disagreements.

The Deep Impact of Parental Strife on Bentley

At the heart of this enduring conflict is Bentley, an impressionable young boy caught between two parents who, despite their shared history, struggle to find common ground. Bentley’s request for therapy is not just a storyline; it’s a poignant cry for help and a demonstration of his maturity in recognizing the need for external intervention to heal his family’s wounds. Children of co-parenting parents with a history of addiction and legal issues often bear a heavy emotional burden. Bentley’s decision to refuse visits with his father until Ryan addresses his addiction points to the profound impact of Ryan’s past struggles on his son’s emotional well-being and trust. His self-awareness, as lauded by Tyler Baltierra, is remarkable for his age, signaling that he is proactively seeking stability and a healthy relationship with his father, rather than passively accepting the status quo.

Maci’s role in this dynamic has consistently been that of a mother trying to protect her child while also fostering a relationship with his biological father, albeit under challenging circumstances. Her efforts to encourage Ryan to seek therapy, and then to support Bentley in his own journey towards repairing that relationship, can be seen as attempts to navigate an incredibly difficult co-parenting landscape. However, Ryan and his family often interpret these actions as manipulative, believing Maci is intentionally creating hurdles or using Bentley to control Ryan. This fundamental disagreement on Maci’s intentions is a core driver of their ongoing feud, making any progress towards genuine resolution incredibly difficult, as trust has been severely eroded over the years.

Unpacking Ryan’s Perspective and Mackenzie’s Support

From Ryan’s vantage point, as depicted in the sneak peek, he appears to feel cornered and perpetually accused. His accusations of “made up stories and lies” reflect a defensiveness that often accompanies individuals struggling with addiction and public scrutiny. The feeling of being targeted or misunderstood can lead to resistance, even when confronted with a child’s plea for help. His reluctance to engage in therapy, framing it as “bullsh-t,” may stem from a combination of denial, fear of confronting his own issues, and a deep-seated suspicion of Maci’s motives, fueled by their tumultuous past. The Donald Trump hat, while seemingly unrelated, could also symbolize a certain defiant stance or a rejection of perceived liberal or ‘woke’ narratives, which he might associate with Maci’s approach to their shared issues, further entrenching his opposition.

Mackenzie Edwards, as Ryan’s wife, stands by him, often reflecting and amplifying his skepticism. Her reference to her “mind being blown beyond measure” due to “past drama” highlights the collective emotional toll these long-standing feuds have taken on the Edwards family as a whole. Mackenzie has her own history of public disagreements with Maci, and her loyalty to Ryan often places her directly in opposition to Maci’s perspective. This united front, while supportive for Ryan, further complicates efforts for a peaceful resolution, as it creates an echo chamber of suspicion and resentment, making it harder for either party to hear or understand the other’s point of view, ultimately impacting Bentley’s hope for a healthier father-son bond.

What Lies Ahead: The Therapy Session and Future of Co-Parenting

Despite Ryan’s vehement protests and accusations, the therapy session is indeed scheduled to proceed. This development suggests that while Ryan may be resistant, there might be an underlying force – perhaps the production team of Teen Mom OG, or a deeper internal conflict – compelling him to attend. The outcome of this session, and whether Ryan genuinely engages with the process or merely goes through the motions, will undoubtedly be a central focus of the upcoming episodes. Viewers will be keenly watching to see if this professional intervention can finally bridge the communication gap that Maci identified years ago, or if it will simply serve as another battleground in the ongoing war between Maci Bookout and Ryan Edwards. For Bentley, this therapy represents a significant step towards healing and understanding, and his well-being remains the ultimate stake in this long, complicated journey of co-parenting.