Friends star Jennifer Aniston has been a “rock of support” for ex Brad, a source claims, after his son Pax’s explosive social media post was unearthed

In 2016, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie shocked the world when they announced their marriage was over, but seven years later, the fallout continues.

Last week, an Instagram post was dragged up from 2020, where the couple’s adopted son Pax blasted his dad publicly, saying Brad was a “world class a**hole” who made his four youngest children “tremble in fear”.

The then 16-year-old continued his explosive rant, according to the Daily Mail, writing, “You time and time and again prove yourself to be a terrible and despicable person. You have no consideration or empathy toward your four youngest children who tremble in fear when in your presence.

“You may tell yourself and the world whatever you want, but the truth will come to light someday.”

Brad, 59, and Angelina, 48, share six children. Three are adopted – Maddox, 22, Pax, 19, and 18-year-old Zahara – and three are biological – Shiloh, 17, and 15-year-old twins Vivienne and Knox. Pax was adopted by Angelina at the age of three from an orphanage in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, with Brad formally adopting him the following year.

“Jen was hugely concerned for Brad”, a source explained (Image: FilmMagic)

Brad shares six children with ex Angelina Jolie (Image: GC Images)

Following Brad and Angelina’s break-up, the children stayed with their mother. But there were reports of an altercation on board the family’s private jet between their eldest son and his father. It was reported Maddox had stepped in to defend his mum during an argument. The incident was investigated by the FBI but it was found that no action against Brad was necessary.

The Oscar-winning actor – who is celebrating his 60th birthday next month – was thought to have been taken by surprise by Pax’s outburst. And a source has exclusively told us that the person he turned to for comfort was his ex-wife Jennifer Aniston. While she might seem like an unusual choice, the Friends star has reportedly been a “rock of support” for Brad recently.

“Jen was hugely concerned for Brad and she reached out to him immediately,” the source tells us. “Her first thought was how upset he must be. To be attacked in that way by someone he cares about so dearly will have been heartbreaking for him.”

Angelina and son Pax (Image: Getty Images for Netflix)

Brad and Jennifer first began dating in 1998 after they were introduced by their managers. The Ocean’s Eleven actor proposed the following year, and they tied the knot in 2000.

However, after five years of marriage, the couple announced their split in early 2005 amid rumours about Brad’s relationship with his Mr & Mrs Smith co-star Angelina.

Despite the divorce, Jen and Brad have talked about their amicable relationship, with the actor telling V magazine in 2007, “Jen and I still maintain a deep friendship and have a lot of life together that isn’t erased in any way.”

Meanwhile, our source claims the pair have remained friends no matter what, and know they can turn to each other for support.

“A lot of people assume they don’t talk as their break-up was so fraught, but they have been in touch for years and she has always been a rock of support,” our source said about Jen, who went on to marry actor Justin Theroux in 2015, divorcing him two years later.

Brad and Ange’s divorce was finalised in 2019 (Image: Broadimage/REX/Shutterstock)

“They have become good friends despite all the heartache. Jen cares deeply about Brad and vice versa.”

After his incredibly public split from Jen, Brad went on to have a relationship with Angelina and in 2014, the pair made it official in a private ceremony in France.

Sadly, just two years later, the couple filed for divorce – which wasn’t finalised until 2019 – and Angelina sought full custody of their six kids.

Brad was briefly granted joint custody in 2021, but the agreement later reverted back to Angelina having full custody of them while Brad has “custodial time” with the younger children.

Now, our source also claims that Jen wants to stand up for her ex-husband when it comes to many of these allegations.

“Jen knows that Brad has made mistakes, but she says that deep down, he is a good guy,” they say.

Since 2016, Brad has been open about his divorce and custody battle. He told GQ, “We’re both doing our best. It’s just very, very jarring for the kids to suddenly have their family ripped apart…. If anyone can make sense of it, we have to with great care and delicacy, building everything around that.”