Khloe Kardashian: Taking A Deeper Look Into The Science Of A Cheating Partner Like Tristian Thompson – And The Exact Reasons Why She Gave Tristian So Many Chances Following Years Worth Of Betrayal

I know that in my previous blog entry I mentioned that if there was anyone who could set an example for a healthy co-parenting relationship, it was Megan Fox. This factor was the entire essence of the blog entry. The truth of the matter is, however. I was utterly wrong. Megan Fox is an example of someone who’s set an example of someone who’s set a healthy co-parenting relationship with an ex. In reality, if there’s anyone who’s set an example of a healthy co-parenting relationship with an ex, it’s the Kardashian-Jenner family; ALL of them. It all started with Kris Jenner when she divorced Robert Kardashian, the famed lawyer who represented OJ Simpson through his trial for the murder of Nicole Brown Simpson, Jenner’s best friend. They continued a friendship following their divorce up until his 2003 death, and he even played the role of an ‘uncle’ for Jenner’s kids with Bruce (now Caitlyn) Jenner, Kylie and Kendall.

This essence of creating healthy co-parenting relationships has continued on with Kourtney Kardashian, who co-parents her 3 children with Scott Disick, Kim Kardashian, who co-parents her 4 children with age, formerly Kanye West, Khloe Kardashian, who co-parents her 2 children with Tristian Thompson, and finally, Kylie Jenner, who co-parents her 2 children with Travis Scott. In this particular blog entry, I want to talk about Khloe Kardashian and her co-parenting relationship with Tristian Thompson, because it’s….quiet interesting. And that’s a very light way of putting it.

Khloe and Tristan had an on-and-off relationship, and they now co-parent their two children, True and TatumThe two first got together in 2016. At the time, it was rumoured that Tristian had left his pregnant girlfriend, Jordan Craig, to be with her, but Khloe shut down those rumours. She wrote in an Instagram comment, ‘PS he never left ANYONE for me. I have said this before but as I have learned the truth isn’t as exciting as a lie.’ His first child, Prince, was born in December 2016. True, his first child with Khloe, was born in 2018. A few days before the birth, Tristian was caught kissing two women on video. The pair initially stayed together, but broke things off in 2019 after he was caught kissing Jordyn Woods, Kylie’s best friend at the time. They reunited the following summer while quarantining together. They broke up yet again after it was revealed that Tristian cheated on Khloe yet again, and that this time, the infertility resulted in a pregnancy. Maralee Nichol welcomed a son, Theo, in December 2021, and a paternity test confirmed that Tristian was the father. In August 2022, Khloe and Tristian welcomed their second child, son Tatum, through surrogacy.

That was Khloe’s last straw in her relationship with Tristian, and she’d never gone back to him romantically since then, though they still co-parent their children. Khloe also helps Tristian take care of his brother, Amari, who has a severe form of epilepsy, which has him wheelchair dependent and developmentally impaired. Tristian gained full custody of Amari following his mother’s death in 2023. And you could say that Khloe and Tristian are the epiphany of what a co-parenting relationship should look like; but it’s really not, and that’s fully on Tristian. He might actually be the worst person in the world. He’s actually scary. Maybe even more so than Kanye West. I’ll get to him in the next blog entry, so please bear with me.

At the time when news broke of Tristian’s third known infidelity, it was reported that he’d left his 30th birthday party that Khloe planned for him early to have sex with Nichol. What was even scarier, at least in my eyes, was that even though he’d cheated and probably knew his act resulted in a pregnancy, he still went ahead and manipulated Khloe into going through with their surrogacy journey. In doing my research I watched bits and peace’s of their surrogacy journey through clips that are available on YouTube on the ‘Keeping Up With The Kardashians’ official channel. All I can say is that it was actually so scary to watch what a scary person Tristian is. He really thought he could get away with the cheating; and he actually did believe that if he were to get caught, Khloe would forgive just as she did those other times.

I was cheated on by previous partners. I also cheated. In no way am I going to act like I’m the fully innocent victim of cheating. I cheated because I simply just didn’t care for the other person. I didn’t care for their feelings. I didn’t care if they were hurt. In hindsight, I wanted the other person to feel hurt because they hurt me. I was also involved with another man in my marriage, but my husband and I were separated at the time. That other man would’ve been perfect for me, at least on paper. But he was also a rebound, and what’s the ratio of rebound relationships ever working out? In my experiences of infidelity, going both ways as the one being cheated on and the cheated, my partners weren’t long-term relationships and there were no children involved. The reasons for infidelity are influenced by a combination of psychological, emotional, and circumstantial factors. While some studies suggest a biological basis for non-monogamy, many attribute cheating to issues within the relationship, unmet emotional or sexual needs, or a desire for novelty. To break it down more thoroughly:

Key Psychological and Emotional Factors: 

• Relationship dissatisfaction: Lack of love, commitment, and overall satisfaction in the primary relationship are major motivators for infidelity. 
• Seeking emotional or sexual fulfillment: Some individuals may seek outside relationships to fulfill needs for connection, intimacy, or sexual variety that are not being met in their primary relationship. 
• Anger and revenge: Infidelity can be a way for individuals to express anger or punish their partner for perceived grievances. 
• Self-esteem and identity: Some individuals may seek validation and attention from others outside their relationship to boost their self-esteem or explore a different aspect of their identity. 
• Opportunity and situational factors: Circumstances like long-distance relationships, travel, or social media can provide opportunities for cheating. 

The Role of Biology: 

• Some studies suggest a link between specific genes and infidelity, particularly those related to dopamine and vasopressin receptors, which play a role in pleasure, reward, and social bonding. 
• The “love molecule,” phenylethylamine (PEA), is released during attraction and can contribute to the euphoric feelings associated with new relationships. 

Other Factors: 

• Personality traits: Individuals with lower conscientiousness, lower agreeableness, and higher extraversion may be more prone to infidelity. 
• Attachment style: Those with anxious or avoidant attachment styles may be more vulnerable to infidelity due to their insecure attachment patterns. 
• Communication and conflict: Poor communication and unresolved conflicts can create a rift in the relationship, potentially leading to infidelity as a way to cope or escape. 

Scott cheated on Kourtney as well. She ended their 9 year relationship after he was caught cheating in 2015 after photos of Scott getting a little too close to his ex-girlfriend, Chloe Bartoli in Monte Carlo. It wasn’t their first split throughout the years, and it wasn’t the first time that cheating was involved either. Having their children only added to the stress in their relationship, as they were still on-and-off after kids. Cheating wasn’t the only factor in their relationship troubles. Scott’s substance abuse was also an issue. In fact, it was the main issue. Following their final breakup, Kourtney admitted that the cheating was the last thing she found out about.

Both Scott and Kourtney had moved on in other relationships. Scott most notably dated Sofia Richie between 2017 and 2020. Kourtney, after never wanting to get married to Scott and refusing his proposal multiple times throughout their relationship, married Travis Barker in 2022. They had a child together via IVF in 2023. Despite them not being together anymore, Scott has very much been part of the Kardashian-Jenner family. He’s been closest to Khloe. He was actually very close with Khloe throughout all the years he’d known the Kardashian family. There was one particular scene from ‘Keeping Up With The Kardashians’ that stood out for me. It wasn’t even a scene between Khloe and Scott, but it definitely showcased their close bond. It was when Scott’s parents passed away very closely to each other. He was grieving their deaths, and wanted to mostly stay quiet, keep to himself and be in his own thoughts. Kourtney attempted to get him to talk about his feelings when it was clear he didn’t want to. She went to talk to Khloe, who was the one to explain to her why her partner has a completely different approach to his grief than they did when their father died; that it was because they had one parent pass away, and he had both parents pass away so close to each other; that they had each other to lean on for support as siblings, and he’s an only child.

I just found it weird that Khloe had to explain this to Kourtney about her partner. Then again, Khloe has always shown that out of all the Kardashian-Jenner family members, she’s the kindest, most empathetic, as well as the most emotionally intellectual. Let’s not forget Lamar Odom and the kindness she’d shown him when he treated her like…a piece of trash. Khloe was married to the former basketball player between 2009 and 2016. They married after only one month of dating. They even had their own spinoff series, ‘Khloe & Lamar’, which also co-starred Rob Kardashian, Khloe’s best friend, Malika Haqq, and Lamar’s friend, Jamie Sangouthai, who passed away in 2015 of flesh-eating disease caused by his drug use. Lamar took his friend’s demise really hard. Sangouthai’s father told The New York Daily News at the time, ‘I think Lamar is done. I think most of it is because he missed my son so much. I think deep inside they had a death wish, or a wish to die together. It sounds very cold-blooded, but I have a hard time controlling my emotions. They were so close. They wouldn’t even go to the bathroom without asking the other. They couldn’t live without each other. They went through a lot together — very powerful and beautiful times together.’

Later that same year, Odom was rushed to the hospital after he was found unconscious in a Nevada brothel with cocaine and opiates discovered in his system. Khloe remained by his bedside until Odom woke up from the coma four days later. The divorce papers were signed by that point in time, but Khloe withdrew the petition so that she could make medical decisions on his behalf. She and the rest of the family cared for him until he fully recovered, and Khloe went on with the divorce thereafter. They hadn’t seen each other since officially divorcing until very recently, when they reunited at Malika’s house so that Khloe could return his things.

The reunion was…intense – as we saw on ‘The Kardashians’ season 6 premiere. This was where the former married couple discussed their past relationship, including Odom’s struggles with addiction and their eventual divorce. The episode also featured Odom’s awkward attempt to bring anniversary gifts to Khloé, despite their divorce, which left her feeling uncomfortable Odom also called Khloe his wife, and when Khloe called her mom, Kris, to surprise her, Odom called Kris ‘mom’. Odom shared his regrets about cheating on his then-wife, and said, ‘I will be blessed if I can ever find someone even close to the way you held me down — and your spirit. How being around you made me want to be my best self. I just wish I would’ve shown that. Because you’re worth it.’ In a confessional, Khloe said of her marriage and eventual decision to divorce, ‘I didn’t just let go. … You don’t always get second chances. You can’t keep doing (expletive) and expect people just to stay around.’

Perhaps my favourite Khloe quote of all time is, ‘I’m just allergic to bullsh*t.’ It was a direct response to Kris asking her if she had a cough during the argument on Kris enabling Rob and paying for his life. That comment was salty AF. Some might say that the allergy suddenly went away once she started dating her baby daddy. And I thought so too; until I had a child of my own. Khloe kept coming back to Tristian for True. You see, forgiving a cheating partner when you have children is a complex and highly personal decision. While forgiveness can be a path to healing and rebuilding, it’s crucial to consider the well-being of both the betrayed partner as well as the children, and whether reconciliation is truly viable. To break things down more thoroughly:

• It’s not a simple choice: Forgiveness is not a one-size-fits-all solution and requires careful consideration of individual circumstances, including the nature of the affair, the partner’s willingness to take responsibility, and the impact on the family. 
• Children’s well-being is paramount: The way parents handle infidelity can significantly impact their children’s emotional and psychological development. Avoiding the use of children as pawns in the conflict is essential. 
• Forgiveness is not condoning: Forgiveness doesn’t mean excusing or ignoring the betrayal. It’s a process of letting go of anger, resentment, and the desire for revenge. 
• It’s a gradual process: Forgiveness and healing can take time, and it may be necessary to grieve the loss of the relationship and the trust that was broken. 
• Seeking professional help can be beneficial: Therapy can provide guidance on navigating the emotional complexities of forgiveness and reconciliation, and help couples communicate effectively. 

You might compare Scott to Tristian in the ways that they treated the women they were with. I promise you, though; their actions truly can’t be compared, no matter how much one tries to prove otherwise. Scott never cheated on Kourtney with anyone close to the family, unlike Tristian, who cheated with his partner’s sister’s best friend who they’ve treated as their own family member for years. Scott also never used his kids to manipulate Kourtney to get things his way; and he certainly never manipulated Kourtney into conceiving a child. I’m not even talking about IVF and surrogacy here, which is a whole other atmosphere.

At least Tristian had the decency to not cheat on Khloe with their surrogate. There are so many stories of this happening to ‘regular’ people; at least ones published on the internet. Too many women are left heartbroken due to their male partners’ infertility during IVF and fertility struggles. In a general sense, though, statistics show that 20-28% of men and 5-15% of women may have engaged in infidelity. Of course, the process of IVF can be a stressful time for both partners, and this stress can sometimes lead to relationship difficulties and, potentially, infidelity. Men are often dismissed in their roles during infertility, IVF, and surrogacy struggles. Because of this, they feel unseen; they feel unheard. I know my husband during our own fertility struggles. I also know that he didn’t cheat on me through the struggles that we’d gone through.

But Tristian betrayed Khloe 3 times; and those were the worst ways to betray a woman – a woman he CLAIMS to love. He betrayed her when she was 9 months pregnant and was a few days away from giving birth. He cheated on her when she was a year into her postpartum journey with her family friend. And he cheated on her when they were on their way to have a second child; and the fact that it was through surrogacy just made it so much worse. So much goes into the journey of infertility and surrogacy; so much planning; so much stress; so much money; so much worrying; so much….everything. He got another woman pregnant just as they were in the process of having their own child. Just as Khloe found out that Tristian fathered another woman’s baby, her surrogate got pregnant with HER and Tristian’s baby. WHY WOULD HE DO ALL THIS?

The answer to that is actually very simple; much simpler than one might think. It’s to keep her. Tristian knew the secret to keeping Khloe all to himself. He did what he did at her most vulnerable moments. He took advantage of that. And not only that, but he took advantage of Khloe’s kindness and empathetic nature. When he cheated the first time, she still allowed him to be in the delivery room with her. I don’t know if I would’ve done so if I were in that situation. Experiencing the 9th month of pregnancy myself and knowing what a happy, exciting, and yet vulnerable time it is, I don’t know how I would’ve felt allowing the father of my child to experience the magic of seeing the baby for the first time after giving birth after his betrayal. I would’ve felt sick even looking at his face had I been in her shoes. When Tristian cheated the second time, she wasn’t even a year postpartum. It happened 6 weeks before True’s first birthday. Khloe still had him come to her party. Again, I don’t know if I would’ve been able to do this had I been in her shoes. She herself wasn’t sure about it either, as seen on ‘Keeping Up With The Kardashians’. But at the request of her mother, Kris, she did. And when Tristian cheated the third time….

She didn’t forgive him. Actually, she did. She did forgive him. But not romantically. As she told Scott following the 2021 scandal, ‘I forgive Tristan for me because I’ve got to let that s–t go. I need to for myself. I can’t move on with my life if I’m holding onto this bulls*t.’ When a fan suggested that the former couple were together yet again, Khloe wrote on Instagram, ‘Stop pushing this narrative. It’s tiring. But I suppose You guys will continue the narrative you want regardless of what I say so what’s the point. It’s exhausting but I learned people will only understand to the level of their own perception. Most are stuck at believing the lies because it’s the narrative they want to fuel. Have fun.’ As for Tristian himself, he wrote in a 2022 statement, ‘Khloe, you don’t deserve this. You don’t deserve the heartache and humiliation I have caused you. You don’t deserve the way I have treated you over the years. My actions certainly have not lined up with the way I view you.’

I call bullsh*t. And even after he cheated a third time and it became clear that he’d fathered another child with another woman, Tristian STILL tried to be his ‘charming’ self to get close to Khloe and get her to take him back. He probably thought that because that was what she did the two previous times that he cheated, so she for sure would’ve taken him back a third. But she wasn’t having any of it. When Tristian tried to get close to her, she did her absolute best at keeping a distance between them. Even when Tristian leaned in for a hug after he voiced his hopes to for her to move in with him and live like they’re one big happy family, she put a distance between them. And as he had the audacity to put a heart sign in her direction, she gave him the side eye. It was clear night and day that she was absolutely done with that man, and he still atill tried to woo her. He thought he had the chance. LOL. But even though she was done with him romantically, she still maintained a civil, friendly relationship with him for the sake of True and their new baby, Tatum. When Tatum was born, Tristian was there with her in the hospital room.

There could be a variety of different reasons why men cheat on their partners multiple times. These include a lack of emotional or sexual connection in their primary relationship, a history of childhood trauma, commitment issues, and a tendency to seek novelty or validation outside the relationship. Some may also have underlying psychological issues like impulse control problems or attachment insecurities that contribute to repeated infidelity. 

Relationship-Specific Factors: 

• Lack of emotional or sexual connection: When a relationship lacks the intimacy, love, and attention a person needs, they may seek fulfillment elsewhere.
• Unrealistic expectations: Some men may have unrealistic expectations of their partner, leading to a feeling of unmet needs and a desire to seek fulfillment elsewhere.
• Poor communication and conflict resolution: Inability to effectively communicate and resolve conflicts can create resentment and a feeling of isolation, potentially leading to cheating.
• Seeking novelty or external validation: Some men may feel bored or crave attention and validation outside their primary relationship.
• Revenge or anger: Infidelity can be a form of revenge or a way to hurt a partner, especially if they feel wronged or unappreciated.

Individual Factors:

• History of childhood trauma:
  Past trauma can affect a person’s ability to form healthy attachments and can contribute to a pattern of seeking external validation or a need for control. 
  
• Commitment issues: A fear of commitment or a lack of desire for a long-term relationship can make it easier for some men to cheat.
• Impulse control issues: Difficulty controlling impulses can lead to acting on fleeting desires without considering the consequences of cheating.
• Mental health issues: Certain mental health conditions, like bipolar disorder or narcissistic personality disorder, can be associated with a higher likelihood of infidelity.
• Addiction: Substance abuse or other addictions can reduce inhibitions and make it easier to engage in risky behaviors like cheating.

So we certainly know that Scott and Lamar’s reason for cheating was addiction. But what about Tristian? What was his reasoning behind his cheating? There was a particular scene between them ‘Keeping Up With The Kardashians’ where Tristian questioned why he did what he did and why he treated Khloe the way that he did. From an outside perspective, this alone told me that he was someone going through mental health struggles, and he didn’t know where his own actions stemmed from. It probably had to do with an unresolved childhood trauma and the need for external validation because of it.

We do know that he has a younger severely disabled brother. Of course there are so many beautiful positive effects for having disabled siblings, such as developing increased empathy and tolerance, increased emotional intelligence, and increased adaptability and resilience, there could be negative effects too. Most times, especially on social media, people talk about the positives. So let’s talk about the negatives:

• Increased Stress and Anxiety: The added responsibility and emotional demands of caring for a sibling with a disability can lead to increased stress and anxiety in the older sibling. 
• Feeling of Isolation: Siblings may feel isolated from their peers and even from their parents as they navigate the unique challenges of their family situation. 
• Perfectionism and Pressure to Achieve: Some siblings may feel pressured to excel academically or in other areas to make up for their sibling’s disability, or to prove their own value to the family. 
• Negative Emotional Impact: Older siblings may experience negative emotions such as resentment, frustration, or sadness, particularly when their own needs are overlooked or when they feel burdened by the caregiving responsibilities. 
• Distorted Sibling Rivalry: The needs of the disabled sibling can sometimes distort the natural sibling rivalry, leading to feelings of competition and resentment. 
• Increased Risk of Mental Health Problems: Some research suggests that siblings of children with disabilities may be at a higher risk for mental health problems like anxiety, depression, and behavioral difficulties. 

Tristian is a great advocate for the Epilepsy community. In 2013, Tristan, along with his family, created the Amari Thompson Fund to support individuals and families affected by epilepsy in Toronto. The Amari Thompson Fund benefits Epilepsy Toronto, providing funding for educational programs, counseling, and support services for children with epilepsy and their families. Tristan has often spoken about how his brother’s experience with epilepsy motivates him to work hard and be a better person, both as an athlete and in his personal life. It’s all amazing, but let’s not downplay the negative effects he might’ve faced due to his brother’s disability – ones that he might not even be aware of himself, and therefore, not be able to work through them.

And I’m not saying that it’s a good enough reason for her to get back with Tristian romantically and for them to play house and act like a happy family with their kids, because it’s not. Khloe went through a lot of turmoil at the hands of Lamar and Tristian. She called her 30’s the worst years of her life. She most recently talked about the trauma she’d endured on Jay Shetty’s ‘On Purpose’ podcast. Season 2 of ‘The Kardashians’ also showcased the trauma she’d endured. It even showed itself on her brain scan. It was in the second episode of the second season of their latest reality series. Khloe was still dealing with the fallout from Tristian’s third and (so far) last scandal.  the episode, Khloe has learned that she has ‘brain trauma’ as a result of Tristan’s cheating scandal. She went to see Dr. Amen with Kendall to get an MRI scan done. First Dr. Amen looked at the model’s brain, saying, ‘Kendall has a beautiful brain.’ He then switched gears, looking at Khloe’s brain, which showed physical and emotional trauma. He then asked Khloe, ‘If we look at your brain – this is your brain right here. Have you hurt your brain?’ She said, ‘I did it. I went through the windshield when I was 16. Head first and I fell and actually hit my head a few more times after that.’

He then showed Khloe other parts of her scan, saying: ‘You worry and you may be anxious and you’ve had trauma. Do you see this diamond? This will often go with emotional trauma.’ She reflected on her past, ‘My father died when I was 19. I was married for five years and divorced. My ex-husband – he struggled with drugs. But he had a lot of trauma and then I think I was exposed to a lot of trauma by being in that relationship. My last ex, he cheated a lot while I was pregnant and then he just had a baby with someone else while we were together. And I learn all these things myself from social media, so it’s pretty traumatic. It sounds unbelievable that this is something that a person has gone through. Dr. Amen then asked her, ‘How do you manage to be so good?’ To which she replied, ‘I think family.’

And this is the most beautiful thing about Khloe – she’s SO good. I don’t even mean she’s good at her skills and qualifications like organization skills, time management skills, or yada yada yada. I mean she’s just a good f*cking person. She’s always been just a good f*cking person; before the fame and everything that came with it. Back in March, Kim opened up about how Khloe paid for her first divorce from music producer Damon Thomas when she was 21. She said, ‘When Khloé was like, just maybe four or five years old, she got this piggy bank that was like as tall as us and it was like a Coke bottle and we would put so much money in it. And when I was getting my first divorce, I moved out and I had no money.’ Khloe said of her good deed, ‘She was crying in my room, and I was just like, ‘Okay, I have this Coke bottle, like, let’s take what’s in here and let’s go to the bank and let’s cash it and let’s use this money for your divorce.’’ Kim never forgot what Khloe did for her. She said, ‘So, for her birthday, I found the same Coke bottle piggy bank and I filled it up and was like, ‘Thank you.’’

It’s just a true testament to the kind of person Khloe is. I strive to be like Khloe when I grow up, even though I’m a grown a** woman already. She’s often described as the most relatable Kardashian. Her personality type is ESFP (Extraverted, Sensing, Feeling, Perceiving). She’s outspoken one. But behind Khloé Kardashian’s quick wit and fierce loyalty lies something more complex: the mindset of an Enneagram Type 6, the Loyalist. Khloe is modest and unassuming with a need for protection and a tendency to be dependent. Khloe is someone who’d do anything for the people she loves, which in a sense, explains her romantic trauma. It explains why she never gave up on Lamar, and it explains why she had such a hard time letting go of Tristian. To end this blog post on a more positive note, I’d like to include some of the best Khloe Kardashian quotes we should all live by:

• You can’t expect everyone to love you.
• I know my soul is beautiful; I know I’m a good person. And that will never change for me.
• We all have to start somewhere, and doing something is better than nothing at all. Start small so you don’t get discouraged and give up. Remember it is all about consistency.
• I think the beauty of growing up is not really knowing and figuring it out for yourself.
  
• I just think that knowing about your body at any age, whether it’s educating yourself on fertility, getting mammograms, going through puberty – whatever it may be, is really important. I just really encourage women empowerment and being comfortable talking about these issues.
• But I also enjoy life… the more scrutiny I am under, the more confident I become. I am who I am. I can’t do anything about it, and I love who I am.
• One of the biggest struggles of my life is my weight. My weight is always going up and down, and I’m always fighting that, and I think that no matter what I do, I’m never going to look good enough to everybody else.