Khloe Kardashian sparks important debate over disabled family member Amari after Kim admitted kids aren’t 'comfortable' around him

A scene from the latest instalment of The Kardashians has divided viewers this week, after Kim could be seen asking her children if they're 'scared' of a disabled family member.

The individual in question is 18-year-old Amari Thompson, the younger brother of Tristan Thompson - Khloe Kardashian's on-and-off partner, with whom she shares two children.

Amari suffers from a severe form of epilepsy known as Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. Basketball star Tristan, 34, became his legal guardian last year after their mother, Andrea, died of a heart attack in January 2023.

In the most recent episode of the A-list family's hit reality TV series, 40-year-old Khloe opted to throw a birthday party for Amari at his Hidden Hills home in California.

Along with a number of Tristan and Amari's friends and family members, Khloe was joined by big sister Kim, 44, and their mother, Kris Jenner, 69.

Mother-of-four Kim also brought along her own children - North, 11, Saint, eight, Chicago, seven, and Psalm, five - who were seen in the episode playing with Khloe and Tristan's children.

The former couple share daughter True, six, and Tatum, two.

Kourtney Kardashian's daughter Penelope, 12, was also in attendance, along with Kylie Jenner's six-year-old daughter Stormi, six.

In the episode, SKIMS boss Kim could be seen doing a piece-to-camera, claiming that the children have a ‘lot of questions’ when it comes to Amari’s disability. She added that the group may ‘not be the most comfortable’ around him.

Kim went on: "I think it’s so important that they play with him and they really get to know him.

"I love our kids growing up around him and helping him."

The episode then cuts to the 18th birthday bash, where Kim can be seen asking her daughter Chicago if she was 'scared' of Amari, going on to add: "There’s no need to be, but it’s okay if you are."

Kim's remark has since been slammed online as 'tone deaf' by a number of critics.

"It’s not okay though…Why would you even say that! Scared of what?" one demanded on X (formerly Twitter) in the days that followed.

Another asked: "Why the f*** would Kim ask those kids if they're scared of Amari!? what in the juvenile, tone-deaf question is that!?"

Khloe herself has also divided viewers of the show, with many wondering whether the birthday party she'd planned for Amari was a genuine gesture, or simply a case of virtue signalling.

"This is very sweet & I agree, however, I’m not sure if it was necessary to televise this moment. Their family has a history of exploiting each other so I always raise an eyebrow when it comes to their intentions," one viewer wrote online.

Another slammed, however: "Thank God the cameras were there for a plot line."

"How horrible to use a disabled child for their own gain," a third continued before moving on to Kim. "Better still teach your brats about people with disability instead of just telling them take them to places and show them ffs."

Another wrote: "Beautiful message just not something that’s needed to be filmed for profit."

A fifth went on: "exploiting a child with epilepsy and dragging him in front of a camera just to have a storyline for your dumb show is vile. I truly hate this family."

Others, however, sided with Khloe.

"She’s done a lot to help Amari before and especially after Tristan’s mom passed away," one noted. "I’ve read a lot about her being involved with him for years it’s not just for the show."

Another fan added: "She was very close with Amari & Tristan’s mom. She’s always been close to Amari and Tristan has repeatedly thanked her for her support.

"Normalizing epilepsy and disability is not a bad thing - it’s sad that we see so little reality on reality shows these days."

Another went on: "I don’t see anything wrong kids do need to be educated & aware as well as the world & allow the kids 2 get all questions asked kids with a disability are people to this help the disabled kids 2 know what to expect & help other kids accept not tease."

"I can’t tell if Khloe is actually a nice and caring person or if she is out of story line for the show," admitted another.