Epic Twitter Feuds

The creation of Twitter in 2006 spurred a lot of confusion as to what the social media site was really all about. The tweet box, which now prompts you to "Compose new Tweet," used to ask, simply, "What are you doing?" This general question made users wonder how they could possibly come up with anything interesting or worthwhile to tweet. The whole concept was confusing and seemingly purposeless.

In the years after its creation, however, Twitter has proven to be one of the most popular forms of social media among today's generation. The site has become a vessel for the public distribution of thoughts and ideas. Consequently, the candid nature of the site has also given way to some of the most public celebrity feuds.

The appeal of Twitter partially lies in the fact that it allows ordinary society to connect with celebrities and public figures on a more personal level. But this also means that when drama arises on the site, the entire world is able to watch it unfold.

Read ahead to see some of these epic Twitter feuds.

By Elizabeth Andreassen
Posted 7 August 2013

CNBC tells the story behind the rise of Twitter, the social media giant whose 200 million active users have made it a fixture at home and around the world. Twitter Revolution arrives Wednesday, Aug. 7, at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

In a 2008 interview with ABC News, Sarah Palin, the governor of Alaska, commented that Russia could be seen from certain areas of her home state. A few days later, "Saturday Night Live" spoofed the exchange with the hyperbolic claim, "I can see Russia from my house." Palin was publicly ridiculed for the comment and became the butt of many subsequent jokes. Among those who teased her was Arnold Schwarzenegger, who tweeted that he was flying over Alaska but was unable to see Russia. Palin tweeted back an unabashedly snippy response criticizing Schwarzenegger's apparent subpar efforts as governor of California. The Twitter feud ended there, but the two have been known to speak candidly about each other on numerous occasions.

Keith Olbermann and Piers Morgan got into their most recent Twitter feud during the 2012 Iowa caucus, when CNN talk show host Morgan poked fun at the fact that Olbermann, then the head of the news department at Current, would not be discussing the caucus on television that night. Olbermann responded with a jab at Morgan's involvement in the News of the World scandal, and some contemptuous banter ensued. 

However, the scathing words exchanged in this feud may have been fueled by a past Twitter interaction between the two news personalities. In April 2011, Olbermann took to Twitter to poke fun at an interview on "Piers Morgan Tonight" that resulted in former Tea Party senate candidate Christine O'Donnell walking out. Olbermann and Morgan subsequently went head-to-head in a Twitter battle over—what else?—viewers. It seems that old habits really do die hard.

The most notable Twitter feuds tend to involve public figures, whether it is an actor going head-to-head with another actor, or a media personality going head-to-head with another media personality. The occurrence of a Twitter feud between an actor and a media personality is a rarity; however, this type of instance ensued when CNN anchor Don Lemon encountered comedic actor Jonah Hill in November 2012, and was not too pleased with Hill's reception. Hill's comedic persona was evidenced by his snarky response to Lemon's initial tweet. Lemon, a more serious type, called Hill's behavior rude and ultimately didn't accept his apology. 

It seems like billionaire Donald Trump and television personality Rosie O'Donnell have been feuding for quite some time.

The trouble began in 2006, after O'Donnell called Trump a "snake-oil salesman" on "The View" after his announcement that he would pardon Miss USA Tara Conner despite her drug and alcohol abuse. Trump responded by calling O'Donnell a "a real loser." The two personalities have taken to Twitter multiple times since in various attempts to publicize their hard feelings toward one another. This particular feud seemingly resumes out of nowhere, such as when Trump compared Cher to O'Donnell after the singer expressed her hatred for Mitt Romney on Twitter. O'Donnell then responded by calling Trump a "stalker" and comparing him to a "herpes rash." 

Donald Trump is at the root of many notable celebrity feuds. His attacks seem to come out of nowhere, sparking strong opposition and public criticism. This was the case when he called media mogul Arianna Huffington "unattractive both inside and out" in August 2012, making fun of her former husband for announcing his bisexuality after leaving her. The Huffington Post's Twitter account tweeted back in defense of Huffington, although it is unclear whether Arianna herself sent the tweet. Trump had been slamming the Huffington Post since it ran a piece titled "Donald Trump: Why So Moody?"  in August 2012. The day that the piece ran, Trump called the website a "loser" and commented on its impending doom.

Ann Coulter has been known for her outspoken social and political commentary; however, her frivolous use of the word "retard"  in a derogatory tweet about President Barack Obama during a 2012 presidential debate sparked widespread backlash, particularly from the Special Olympics community. John Franklin Stephens, a 30-year-old Special Olympics athlete, penned a letter to Coulter, explaining, "After I saw your tweet, I realized you just wanted to belittle the President by linking him to people like me…Well, Ms. Coulter, you, and society, need to learn that being compared to people like me should be considered a badge of honor." Coulter, however, stood by her tweet, sending a bold and final message to her critics: "Oh, screw them."

The Twitter feud between Keith Olbermann and Fox News commentator Eric Bolling was actually prompted by a tweet sent by HBO talk show host Bill Maher on Dec. 24, 2011, in which Maher made a scathing remark about Tim Tebow. Bolling, called Maher "disgusting, vile trash" and hashtagged #straighttohellBill. Olbermann then sided with Maher by insulting Bolling's profession. Tebow, however, wisely decided to steer clear of the brawl.

After weekly newspaper the Village Voice published an article questioning the child-prostitution statistics Ashton Kutcher offered in his 2011 "Real Men Get Their Facts Straight" anti-sex-trafficking campaign, the actor started a Twitter battle by revisiting a lawsuit that the Village Voice was involved in. Kutcher tweeted at the publication multiple times before eliciting a response, and a back-and-forth battle ensued.

Celebrity blogger Perez Hilton took to Twitter after he was allegedly assaulted in Toronto by Black Eyed Peas singer Will.I.Am, in June 2009 claiming that he was bleeding and waiting for the police to arrive on the scene. Will.I.Am set up a Twitter account to call Hilton's claims "lies," saying, "He will go to any length to get press." Will.I.Am then made a video which he posted to Twitter, calling Hilton a liar and defending his motives. In the end, the Black Eyed Peas' tour manager turned himself in for physically attacking Hilton. However, the feud did not stop there—John Mayer and Kirstie Alley both took to Twitter to support Will.I.Am by making fun of Hilton's course of action in dealing with the assault.

The assault charge against the tour manager was later dropped after he issued a written apology to Hilton, but he agreed not to contact Hilton, not to carry a weapon for 12 months and not to come within 100 meters of the nightclub where the assault took place.

Using colorful language, Maroon 5 lead singer Adam Levine showed his disdain for Fox News when he tweeted at the channel in October 2011 to not play his music on the "evil f—ing channel ever again." 

While the network's verified Twitter page did not give a statement regarding the tweet, Fox News hosts Andy Levy and Greg Gutfeld responded to the pop star's request, calling his music "crappy," and even going as far as saying that it's "not music." In a later interview with iHeartRadio, Levine reiterated his sentiments. "Fox News knows it's evil," he says. "I don't think it's a very big secret. They should just embrace it, Dr. Evil-style."

This is not the first time that Levine has shared his opinions publicly on Twitter, however—in 2011 he blasted MTV's Video Music Awards. And in 2012, he tweeted, "I will never apologize for having opinions."