‘These aren’t his kids!’ – Explosive family feud erupts as Teresa Giudice’s relatives turn on Luis Ruelas for refusing to help pay her $3M tax debt in fiery leaked texts accusing him of ‘watching her drown’ - suong

In a stunning turn of events that has left fans divided and family ties strained, Real Housewives of New Jersey star Teresa Giudice is facing explosive backlash — not from the public, but from within her own family — over husband Luis “Louie” Ruelas’ alleged refusal to help pay off her mounting $3 million tax debt.

According to leaked text messages obtained exclusively by DailyMail+, members of Teresa’s extended family — including one of her cousins and a close in-law — have privately criticized Louie for “hiding behind excuses” and “watching Teresa drown” under the financial pressure. The messages, sent in a heated group chat earlier this month, accuse the 50-year-old entrepreneur of failing to step up financially when Teresa “needs him the most.”

“If he can drop $100K on a healing retreat and wear designer suits on red carpets, he can help pay her taxes,” one family member wrote. “Don’t give me this ‘not his debt’ crap. She’s his wife now.”

The drama began escalating just days after Teresa’s raw podcast episode in which she confessed to dealing with the federal liens almost entirely on her own — and pointedly stated, “Luis didn’t sign up for this. These aren’t his children.”

While many interpreted her comment as a sign of respect for her husband’s boundaries, others in the family reportedly viewed it as a convenient shield for Louie’s inaction.

“She’s defending him because she has to,” another text reads. “But we all see it. He’s letting her take the fall while playing saint on Instagram.”

A separate source close to the Giudice family told DailyMail+ that the issue has caused a rift between Teresa and one of her daughters, who allegedly “feels abandoned by both her parents” as the legal bills pile up.

“Gia’s been the adult in this house since she was 13,” the source said. “She sees her mom working nonstop, doing appearances, getting dragged online — and Louie sitting back like it’s not his concern. It’s breaking her.”

 

The leaked messages also revealed that tensions reached a boiling point after Louie reportedly refused to co-sign on a potential IRS payment plan in April — citing legal advice and concerns about his own financial exposure. One of Teresa’s relatives exploded in the chat:

“You marry into this family, you take on the good and the bad. Don’t act like you’re some innocent bystander. If this was flipped, Teresa would’ve already emptied her savings for him.”

Insiders say the family feud came to a head during a recent private dinner in New Jersey, where voices were raised and Luis left early after being confronted by a Giudice uncle about “stepping up as a husband.” Teresa, sources say, was “visibly shaken” and left in tears.

Meanwhile, Louie is reportedly trying to maintain a low profile. A rep for Ruelas declined to comment, but a source close to him insisted he has “done more than people know,” including covering household bills and supporting Teresa “emotionally and logistically” through her legal mess.

“This isn’t his battle — it’s hers and Joe’s,” the source added. “He didn’t create this problem, and he’s not going to throw money at it just to please people who already hate him.”

Still, for some in the Giudice circle, that logic doesn’t hold.

“Luis built his image off this family,” the leaked text concludes. “But when it’s time to protect it? He’s nowhere to be found.”

As RHONJ remains on pause, fans are already speculating whether these behind-the-scenes rifts will surface in Season 15. One thing is clear: for Teresa Giudice, the cost of loyalty — and silence — may be far more than financial.

If you want a follow-up article from Luis’s POV or one where Gia breaks her silence, just say the word — drama's only just begun.