The parents of one of America’s largest families have once again captured headlines — this time not for their reality TV fame, but for a legal scandal involving a $70,000 Disney World vacation and their staggering monthly grocery bills. The couple, known online as the “Mega Family”, are under intense scrutiny after a court filing revealed they allegedly used public funds to finance the extravagant trip — all while claiming to struggle with the basic costs of feeding their 22 children.
David and Alicia Carter, from Idaho, became viral sensations years ago for their viral TikTok family videos showing their enormous household. They’ve built an audience of millions by documenting life with 22 kids — from grocery hauls to chore charts that look like military schedules. But the family’s wholesome image began to crack when prosecutors accused them of financial misconduct linked to their “once-in-a-lifetime” Disney vacation earlier this year.
According to court documents obtained by NBC News, the couple spent over $70,000 on a two-week trip to Disney World, luxury accommodations, and private transportation — allegedly using funds from a community development grant meant to support their home-schooling program. “It wasn’t about the money,” Alicia said in a tense interview. “We wanted to give our kids something magical. Maybe we didn’t think it through.”
The family of 24 accused of misusing grant money for a $70,000 Disney vacation now reveals their massive grocery expenses. @PopBase
While critics slammed the trip as “tone-deaf,” the couple has tried to redirect the public’s attention to the financial realities of raising 22 children in 2025 America. In a recent appearance on The Today Show, David disclosed that the family spends “between $3,500 and $4,000 a month” on groceries alone — and that’s with bulk buying, discount stores, and what he calls “ruthless efficiency.”
“We go through twelve gallons of milk a week, forty boxes of cereal, and about seventy eggs a day,” he told the hosts. “Our shopping trips look like we’re feeding an army.” Their household reportedly consumes 25 loaves of bread and 30 pounds of chicken weekly, according to an exclusive profile. “We don’t splurge on fancy food. It’s just quantity — everything is quantity.”
Despite the public outrage over the Disney spending, thousands of fans online have expressed sympathy, saying the couple may simply be overwhelmed. “Raising 22 kids in this economy is impossible,” one viewer commented under the family’s latest Instagram reel. “They’re not criminals. They’re just drowning.”
Others, however, aren’t buying the excuses. “If you can afford Disney for 24 people, you can afford to feed them,” one critic posted on X. “You don’t get to use taxpayer money for a vacation.” The comment has since gone viral, amassing over 40,000 likes and reigniting debate about how social media families make — and spend — their money.
“Four grand a month on food but $70k for Disney? Something’s not adding up.” — trending tweet on the Carter family controversy. @buzzingpop
The Carters insist they have never misused funds. David says the Disney trip was “partially covered” by sponsorships and “long-term savings,” not public assistance. “We documented every expense,” he told The Daily Mail. “People think we’re rich because of TikTok, but every cent goes toward keeping this family afloat.”
Still, financial experts say their situation highlights the growing gray area between influencer income and personal spending transparency. “Once families monetize their children online, it’s nearly impossible to separate business from personal life,” said media analyst Lydia Harper. “A Disney trip might be both content and luxury — and that’s where ethics get messy.”
The Carters’ YouTube channel, which once averaged over 1.5 million views per video, has seen a steep decline since the court case went public. Comment sections are now filled with accusations, edited clips of their lavish meals, and comparisons to other high-profile social media families who faced similar scrutiny. One viral edit juxtaposes the family’s grocery hauls with footage from their Disney trip, captioned, “Priorities.”
In one emotional Facebook Live post, Alicia addressed the criticism directly, breaking down in tears. “We’re not bad people,” she said. “We love our kids. We don’t have a mansion. We don’t buy designer clothes. We just wanted to give them memories.”
Her husband added that the family now plans to repay “every dollar” questioned by the court and release detailed financial records to clear their name. “It’s not about proving anything,” he said. “It’s about protecting our kids from the hate.”
“We spend $4,000 a month on food — not luxuries,” say the parents of 22 kids facing court over Disney funds. @etnow
Meanwhile, followers remain fixated on the logistics of feeding two dozen children. In one viral clip, Alicia films herself unloading a grocery haul from three shopping carts, joking that she “might need a Costco loyalty badge.” Her followers were quick to point out that even basic items add up — with $15 loaves of gluten-free bread and rising egg prices driving their costs sky-high. “This family is living in a real-time inflation nightmare,” one fan commented.
As the case moves forward, the Carters have paused all sponsorship deals and are reportedly considering selling their 12-bedroom home to pay legal fees. Yet even amid controversy, the couple continues posting cheerful updates, often ending with the same line: “Big family, big hearts, big love.”
Whether the court accepts that defense remains to be seen. But one thing is certain — their story has reignited questions about social media fame, family ethics, and how much it really costs to raise a small army of children in the modern world.
