TLC may feature a lot of controversial characters and subject matter on its shows, but the network has historically responded strongly to allegations of abuse.

For instance, it cancelled the long-running 19 Kids and Counting when it was revealed the oldest Duggar son had sexually abuse mulitple people, including his sisters.

But TLC has refused to give an update on one 90 Day Fiancé couple that’s captured attention, for all the wrong reasons – Mahmoud and Nicole.

Fans were originally introduced to the couple when Nicole attempted to move to Egypt, but she had difficulty adhering to her husband’s strict expectations, particularly around clothing, even though she’d converted to Islam.

Last season, fans saw the tables turned, as Mahmoud came to the U.S. as a last-ditch attempt to make their relationship work. Viewers saw things blow up on the screen, with Nicole being accused of verbal and emotional abuse as a new side of her appeared to come out.

But apparently more drama happened behind closed doors, as Mahmoud has since been arrested for domestic violence, leaving his status in America as well as on the popular reality show up in the air.

TLC Hasn’t Responded To Fans’ Questions

Despite plenty of buzz online over whether Nicole and Mahmoud will appear in future 90 Day Fiancé spin-offs, TLC has avoided the question. Typically, the network will release a stern statement distancing itself from a controversial figure, that is, if they have no plans to work with them in the future.

But TLC has been silent on whether Nicole and Mahmoud have a future on the network, leaving some fans convinced TLC wants to use them for drama and higher ratings, even if inviting them back means working with an (alleged) abuser.

According to TV Show Ace, Mahmoud is currently facing charges for the February domestic violence incident. It could be that TLC is waiting to see if the charges stick before making a decision, or they could have already let Mahmoud and/or Nicole go in private. Or, they could be trying to look past the incident… and hope fans will, too.

Mahmoud And Nicole Could Return For The Reunion

The publication notes there’s still a possibility the couple could return for the reunion special. But they haven’t been seen on T.V. since Mahmoud left Nicole, though it’s unclear if he returned to Egypt.

Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time TLC has been in a tough situation concerning a reality star. Geoffrey Paschel from 90 Day Fiancé: Before the 90 Days was found guilty of aggravated kidnapping, domestic violence, and interference with emergency calls in 2021. Following the charges, TLC decided to cut ties with Paschel, opting not to invite him to the Tell-All reunion special and removing him from promotional materials.

In another instance, 90 Day Fiancé star Larissa Dos Santos Lima faced domestic violence charges in 2018. Although she was initially arrested, TLC allowed her to continue on the show, drawing criticism from viewers for seemingly overlooking serious allegations. The network’s inconsistent responses to such controversies have sparked ongoing debates about their handling of participants involved in criminal activities.