Kris Jenner is not holding back when it comes to her daughter Kim Kardashian's new biography. The famous momager was left furious over one particular passage in the book, calling it offensive and demanding that it be removed.
During the November 12 episode of Hulu's The Kardashians, the 70-year-old reality star confronted Kim over a passage in Citizen Kim: The Woman Who Created the Future, written by journalist Jonathan Van Meter.
© Jonathan Van MeterThe controversial line suggested that Kim might have experienced childhood trauma without recognizing it, despite repeatedly describing her upbringing as happy and nearly perfect. For Kris, the suggestion was more than an author's interpretation. She viewed it as a criticism of her parenting and the childhood she worked hard to provide for her children.
"I'm insulted," Kris declared during the family discussion.
What Did Kim Kardashian's Book Say About Childhood Trauma?
The family disagreement began when Kim discussed a passage from her authorized biography that questioned her perception of her childhood. In the manuscript, Van Meter reportedly expressed skepticism about Kim's insistence that she had never experienced childhood trauma.
Kim explained that the writer seemed convinced she might be overlooking difficult childhood experiences because of how positively she remembers growing up.
© Getty ImagesRather than immediately becoming angry, Kim appeared intrigued by the author's interpretation. She explained that Van Meter had suggested her optimistic memories might reflect how she processes her past.
However, her sisters were less impressed. Khloé Kardashian questioned why the author could not simply accept Kim's description of her own childhood.
Kourtney Kardashian also pushed back against the suggestion, saying she did not believe the siblings had experienced some hidden, deeply troubling childhood trauma.
Kris Jenner Calls the Childhood Trauma Claim Offensive
Kris made it clear that she did not appreciate an outsider questioning her children's upbringing. The Kardashian-Jenner matriarch argued that Van Meter was introducing an unnecessary psychological interpretation into a story that Kim had already explained from her own perspective.
© Mondadori Portfolio via Getty ImShe also questioned why Kim would allow a writer so much access to her family's personal experiences. Kris insisted that she had worked tirelessly to create a happy childhood for her children and did not want the biography to suggest otherwise.
The situation became particularly personal when she discussed her legacy as a mother. "My legacy is my children," Kris said, emphasizing how deeply she identifies with her role in raising her family.
She also made it clear that she wanted Kim to confront the author about the passage and request its removal.
© GettyKris's frustration was not limited to the childhood trauma discussion. She was uncomfortable with the broader idea of someone outside the family analyzing their private lives and publishing conclusions about their experiences.
Despite her anger, Kris managed to inject some humor into the argument, joking that the family's biggest childhood trauma involved the closing of Toys "R" Us.
Kris Jenner Was Already Upset About Kim Kardashian's Biography
The childhood trauma passage was not the only part of Citizen Kim that concerned Kris. The biography, published in October 2026, explores Kim's personal life, career, relationships, and family history.
Van Meter spent years interviewing Kim and people close to her, including relatives and longtime friends, to create a detailed portrait of the reality television star turned businesswoman. However, Kris was reportedly uncomfortable with how much private family history appeared in the book.
© Getty Images for Vulture Festiva
© Pascal Le SegretainIn an earlier preview of The Kardashians, Kris accused Kim of giving an outsider too much access to the family's personal lives. "You have just given our rights to our lives away to some stranger," she told her daughter before walking away from the conversation.
While Kim viewed the biography as an opportunity to present a more complete and accurate account of her life, Kris worried about the consequences of allowing someone else to interpret their family history.
Did Kim Kardashian's Book Reveal Kris Jenner's Past Affair?
Another sensitive subject in the biography was Kris Jenner's past affair with Todd Waterman during her marriage to the late Robert Kardashian. According to Van Meter, Kris became upset after discovering that the decades-old relationship was discussed in the book.
The author described the family tension during an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, explaining that Kim had contacted him after her mother reacted strongly to the manuscript.
© WireImageKris had previously acknowledged the affair publicly, describing her decision as one of her greatest regrets during a 2023 episode of The Kardashians. Although the relationship was not a new revelation, its inclusion in Kim's biography reportedly reopened uncomfortable family discussions.
Van Meter said Kris eventually calmed down after her initial reaction.
Why Kim Kardashian Agreed to an Authorized Biography
Kim's decision to cooperate with Van Meter was rooted in her desire to have her life examined beyond the headlines, scandals, and public assumptions that have followed her for years.
The biography explores her rise from reality television personality to influential entrepreneur, including her work with SKIMS, her relationships, and her criminal justice reform advocacy.
© GettyUnlike an unauthorized celebrity biography, Citizen Kim was developed with Kim's cooperation. However, that did not mean she controlled every word.
Van Meter explained that Kim reviewed the manuscript page by page and raised concerns about certain passages, including material involving her father, her first marriage, and her infamous sex tape. He ultimately removed two sentences because of safety concerns, while Kim accepted other material she had questioned.
That editorial independence, however, appears to be precisely what made Kris uncomfortable.
Did Kris Jenner Get the Controversial Passage Removed?
During the episode, Kris urged Kim to have the childhood trauma discussion taken out of the book. Kim agreed to communicate her mother's objections to Van Meter, but the televised exchange did not establish that the disputed passage was ultimately removed.
There has been no clear confirmation in the reporting reviewed that Kris's specific request resulted in the childhood trauma passage being removed.
