Public figures come in all shapes and forms, from politicians working for the greater good to celebrities who live their lives in the public eye. While they’re often praised for doing good deeds, sometimes they become targets of negative attention. Over the past few decades, there have been noteworthy clashes between famous personalities from the entertainment industry and influential politicians.
Let’s take a closer look at some of these fiery incidents that unfolded for the world to witness.
1. Seth Rogen vs. Ted Cruz
When President Joe Biden swiftly rejoined the Paris Climate Agreement, Republican Senator Ted Cruz criticized the decision on Twitter. In response, actor Seth Rogen bluntly told Cruz to “back off” and called him a fascist. The heated exchange continued as Cruz sarcastically commented on Rogen’s response, leading to a back-and-forth filled with insults and political jabs. It was free entertainment for the entire world.
2. Clint Eastwood vs. Barack Obama
Clint Eastwood, renowned for his tough lawman roles, aligned himself with conservative causes and Republican candidates. At the 2012 Republican National Convention, he delivered a memorable speech in the form of a conversation with an empty chair, symbolizing his dissatisfaction with President Obama’s opinions. The image of Eastwood berating the chair went viral, but Obama humorously responded with a tweet asserting his presence and saying, “This seat’s taken.”
3. Glenn Grothman vs. Cardi B
After Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion performed their sexy hit song “WAP” at the Grammy Awards, Representative Glenn Grothman expressed his disapproval on the House floor, claiming that the performance was inconsistent with decency. Cardi B responded on Twitter, questioning why Grothman chose to focus on her performance rather than more pressing issues in the country, highlighting the ongoing tension between conservative values and artistic expression.
4. Chrissy Teigen vs. Donald Trump
Model and media personality Chrissy Teigen engaged in a Twitter feud with former President Donald Trump. When Trump took credit for criminal justice reform legislation, Teigen called him out, prompting Trump to insult her and block her on Twitter. This was back when he had a Twitter. Teigen responded with a profane tweet, and the clash erupted again with new force.
5. Ted Nugent vs. Barack Obama
Musician Ted Nugent, known for his extremely conservative views, made disparaging comments about several prominent Democrats during one of his concerts. He directed offensive language toward Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and Dianne Feinstein, among others. Nugent had an unexpected visit from the Secret Service after suggesting that he would be “dead or in jail” if Obama was re-elected. Like, Teddy, my man, you really threatened the country with your own death? What are the drawbacks?
6. LeBron James vs. Donald Trump
Basketball superstar LeBron James openly expressed his thoughts on being a Black man in America and his opinion of President Donald Trump, adding oil to the orange dumpster fire. Naturally, Trump quickly retaliated with insulting comments on Twitter. Lebron brushed off the offensive words, addressing the President’s time management issues given his powerful position.
7. Jimmy Kimmel vs. Ted Cruz
During an NBA game, Ted Cruz shared a photo of himself courtside, which caught the attention of late-night host Jimmy Kimmel. Kimmel made a joke and compared Cruz’s face to a sea creature known as a “blobfish.” Cruz tried to retaliate by challenging Kimmel to a one-on-one basketball game, which eventually took place and ended with Kimmel jokingly calling Cruz a “terrible senator.” It wasn’t as good as the blobfish comparison, but what can you do?
8. Murphy Brown vs. Dan Quayle
The infamous sitcom “Murphy Brown” frequently targeted Vice President Dan Quayle in their gags. Quayle, for some reason, decided it was a good idea to fight a literal comedy show and responded by criticizing the writers and how the series depicts a single mother. In response, the show’s creator, Diane English, defended the character and incorporated the feud into the storyline. Checkmate, mister!
