Brad Pitt ‘confrontation with son was spiralling out of control’ but actor ‘was not physically abusive’, source claims

Allegations involving an aircraft carrying Pitt and his children have been referred to FBI

Brad Pitt has denied allegations he was abusive towards one of his children on a private jet transporting the Pitt-Jolie family.

On Thursday, the FBI confirmed it was “gathering facts” in order to determine whether to pursue an investigation after allegations involving an “aircraft carrying Pitt and his children” were referred to the agency.

Pitt, 52, was reported to have clashed with his oldest child Maddox, 15, during the alleged incident on 14 September. Angelina Jolie, 41, filed for divorce on 19 September and listed the date of separation in her divorce filings as 15 September.

Media outlets quoting anonymous sources claimed Pitt had been drinking during the flight. A report by TMZ claims Pitt “lunged” at one of his children and “connected in some fashion with his son”.

Speaking to People, a source reportedly with knowledge of the situation said there was an argument between the actor and Jolie which resulted in a “parent-child argument” when one of their children stepped in, which then “escalated”.

However, the source said Pitt was adamant “it did not reach the level of physical abuse, that no one was physically harmed”.

“He did not hit his child in the face in any way. He did not do that; he is emphatic about that. He put his hands on him, yes, because the confrontation was nose to nose and was spiralling out of control.”

A source told the Independent that Pitt understood the seriousness of the matter and is “cooperating”. “He is willing to do whatever will be best for his family.”