The feud between Texas representative Dan Crenshaw and podcaster Shawn Ryan came to a head as Crenshaw threatened to sue over Ryan’s alleged defamatory remarks last week. 

In a video Ryan posted to social media, he explained that the feud between the two began when he questioned a lavish birthday party Crenshaw threw featuring celebrity DJ Steve Aoki. Crenshaw denies this claim. 

Ryan, host of the popular podcast “The Shawn Ryan Show,” made several comments about government frivolities and suspect discretionary spending. In the posted video, he accuses Crenshaw along with other congressional members of trading stocks while having non-public information about stocks. 

Crenshaw also appeared to send a private social media message threatening Ryan to refrain from commenting in which Crenshaw says “…You have the ability to contact your Team Guy if you have a problem with me or have questions about how I’m ‘getting rich.’ Some of my boys at [SEAL Team] 6 told me about your indirect swipe at me.” Both Crenshaw and Ryan are former Navy SEALs. 

The two exchanged heated messages online about how Crenshaw amassed his wealth and Ryan affirmed his journalistic credibility. (RELATED: Milwaukee Leaders Push Back on Sheriff Office’s Plan for Facial Recognition)

A cease-and-desist letter sent by Crenshaw’s legal team was posted to social media by Ryan. His attorneys disputed that Ryan was ever under true threat and requested that Ryan issue an apology on-air. 

“We respect your right to continue your barrage of criticism regarding the conservative policy solutions advocated for by Rep. Crenshaw, but here, you must cease and desist publishing patently false lies about our client,” the letter reads. 

In a letter sent from Shawn Ryan’s attorney Timothy Parlatore to Crenshaw’s legal team and obtained by Outkick, Parlatore defended Ryan’s assertion of public fund mismanagement. 

Ryan has received an outpouring of support online while he continues to push the narrative that his claims are a matter of public concern. (RELATED: Did Wisconsin Gov Hopeful Really Call Letting Prisoners Out “Sexy”?)

Crenshaw has found himself in a number of spats over the years including threatening to “kill” conservative talk show host Tucker Carlson on a hot mic and arguing with Delta Force operator and podcast host Brent Tucker, as well as former SEAL Eddie Gallagher.

“This is yet another example where threats of defamation litigation can backfire on someone. Legally deficient threats to try to silence your critics is unlawful and Congressman Crenshaw should know better,” Parlatore said.