Bringing Up Bates’ Lawson Bates Shares Cryptic Shame Post After Brother-in-Law Travis Clark’s Affair
Bringing Up Bates alum Lawson Bates shared a curious message after his brother-in-law Travis Clark publicly admittedly cheated on his wife, Katie Bates.
“One day, someone might tell your kids, ‘You’re just like your dad,’” Lawson, 33, wrote over a Saturday, January 17, Instagram video of himself working out. “Make sure it’s a compliment, not an insult.”
Lawson, who shares two sons with wife Tiffany Bates, also cited a Bible verse from Titus 2:6-8 in his social media caption. “Young men exhort to be sober minded. In all things showing a pattern of good works,” the quote read. “In doctrine show incorruptness, gravity, sincerity, and sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.”
While Lawson did not explain his post’s inspiration or clarify its meaning, it was uploaded shortly after Clark confessed that he had been unfaithful. “This is hard to write, but I owe the truth and I owe an apology. I was unfaithful to my wife,” Clark, 24, wrote via his Instagram Stories on Saturday. “I had an affair and repeatedly broke her trust. There is no excuse for what I did.” He continued, “This was my failure and my responsibility alone. I know that words don’t begin to express the damage I caused or the depth of the hurt I’ve brought into her life, but I am truly sorry.”
Clark has been married to Lawson’s sister Katie, 25, since 2021. Katie gave birth to daughter Hailey and son Harvey in 2023 and 2024, respectively, before finding out they were expecting again.
Just hours before her husband’s public confession, Katie announced that she recently suffered a pregnancy loss. “I will spend the rest of my life missing you,” she wrote via Instagram on Friday, January 16, receiving support from her famous family in the comments section.
Katie and Lawson are two of Gil and Kelly Jo Bates’ 19 children. The Bringing Up Bates matriarch and patriarch, as well as kids Lawson, Josie, Carlin and Zach, all shared their condolences in the comments section.
“We’re so so sorry. Love you 💔,” Lawson replied on Friday.
Katie has not publicly addressed Clark’s infidelity scandal. Us Weekly has reached for comment. As for Clark, he stressed on Saturday that he hopes to earn Katie’s forgiveness and “become a more honest and accountable man.”
“I’m sorry for the pain, humiliation and betrayal I caused my wife through my choices,” Clark, who entered nursing school last year with Katie’s support, wrote in his statement. “I understand that an apology doesn’t repair what I broke and forgiveness is not something I deserve or can ask for. I am taking responsibility by getting help and doing the work to change and become a more honest and accountable man, regardless of [the] outcome.”
He concluded, “I ask for privacy and grace for Katie as she processes this in her own time.”
Katie began courting Clark in 2020 after meeting through mutual friends the year prior. “Travis and his family are active in their local church and also travel together to sing, so our families have been able to visit at nearby concerts and church events,” Katie exclusively told Us in March 2020. “Travis and I are so thankful that the Lord, not only allowed our paths to cross, but that we have been able to begin this new phase of our journey together.”
