Comedian Kathy Griffin decided to take on War Machine actor Don Cheadle on Twitter after he simply posted an image of a new hat sporting the Sleeping Giants logo. Griffin got a little more than she could handle.
Sleeping Giants alleges that it is a campaign to “make bigotry and sexism less profitable.” They primarily target conservative news outlet Breitbart instructing individuals to contact companies who have ads appearing on the website. It’s one that ends to combat bigotry and sexism in the United States.
Cheadle showed his support for the campaign by showing off his new hat.
@slpng_giants boom … pic.twitter.com/CP6FCqcuvM
— Don Cheadle (@DonCheadle) January 15, 2019
It didn’t take long for Griffin to begin her mini-war with Cheadle, where she claims he posted a nasty Tweet about her after she received significant backlash for posing like an ISIS terrorist with the decapitated head of President Donald Trump.
Oh GREAT Don. I will never forgive you for your nasty tweet the day my smear campaign started. You know it was a fucking smear campaign and you have never taken a moment to apologize. Some liberal you are. Yes, my memory is long my ex friend. Shame on you. I kept a list. Fear me.
— Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) January 15, 2019
Cheadle was taken aback by Griffin’s initial onslaught simply responding with a “huh?”
— Don Cheadle (@DonCheadle) January 15, 2019
Griffin would then launch into another tirade where she calls Cheadle “a dick in real life.”
Huh? You’re a dick in real life, but believe it or not I truly hope what I went through never happens to you. Never. And if it did I would be the first in line to stand up for you, get my ass on television and do everything I could to defend you & the 1st amendment. It’s easy don
— Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) January 15, 2019
Griffin’s attacks not only caught Cheadle off guard, but were just downright confusing to anyone trying to figure out what was going on. Nevertheless, Griffin continued her attack claiming Cheadle “was just full of s***.”
Neither did I. We had a good conversation one time. I guess he was just full of shit. Still waiting for someone of consequence to publicly stand up for what I am going through. No one with actual, visual power. You could’ve. Enjoy your new job, & yet I hope this never happens 2 u
— Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) January 15, 2019
Griffin would eventually reveal the motive behind her attack citing Cheadle’s Tweets between May 30th and may 31st after Griffin posted her photo with the Trump head.
You don’t remember? Look up your tweets from May 30, 2017 or May 31. You. Of all people. Just another Hollywood movie star phony. You really had a problem with my photo? U don’t know a smear campaign from the oval office, the tabloids, the actual news, two federal investigations?
— Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) January 15, 2019
Cheadle actually appears to be defending Griffin in the Tweet stating she “hates [Trump].” He would appear to question why Griffin would take such a photo.
Is this what you’re referencing? pic.twitter.com/mblUPYT6dV
— Alex Leo (@AlexMLeo) January 15, 2019
Following, Griffin’s nasty attack and the revelations of her motives, Don Cheadle took some time to respond to Griffin, where he strongly defended himself.
sigh … ok, kathy. 1) we had one conversation on a flight about our mutual disgust for individual 1. i don’t “friend” that quickly so we can’t really be “exes.” 2) had i been your “friend” and you had asked my opinion, i would have said, “kathy. for you own sake, please do NOT https://t.co/12enY2AQQt
— Don Cheadle (@DonCheadle) January 15, 2019
depict yourself holding the bloody, severed head of the president, evoking daesh, daniel pearl and every other painful, disturbing memory associated with it, your first amendment rights notwithstanding.” and had you said, “fkkk you, i’m doing it anyway,” i would’ve said, “well
— Don Cheadle (@DonCheadle) January 15, 2019
girl, be prepared to have the dogs sicced on you. the secret service doesn’t play around with sh*t like that no matter WHO the president is. you’re also risking your career for what i see as zero upside. just tell him to #diagf like i do.” maybe you would have listened. doubt it.
— Don Cheadle (@DonCheadle) January 15, 2019
3) taking every opportunity to oppose him and support those looking to unseat him, IS defending you albeit not your personal, cringe worthy photo-op. 4) apologize for a tweet!? 😂😂 …5) i’m sorry that you’re still dealing with the aftershocks of your actions. it’s egregious.
— Don Cheadle (@DonCheadle) January 15, 2019
6) this is six more than necessary answers to your “don’s a dick because he didn’t go on tv to champion me,” tweet. 7) you wanna rap offline, you know how that works. ✌🏿
— Don Cheadle (@DonCheadle) January 15, 2019
Cheadle would make it clear that he doesn’t harbor any ill will to Griffin.
tweeps. i don’t hate @kathygriffin or harbor any ill will, irrespective of the narrative several places are currently running with. i didn’t attack her before or since and don’t consider her an enemy. i’m not sure how/why this all bubbled up over a cap but let’s dead it.✌🏿♥️
— Don Cheadle (@DonCheadle) January 16, 2019
Griffin would respond noting she has “a lot of respect” for Cheadle and explain she’s “still frustrated that 17 months after the Trump pic I still don’t have a significant public advocate.”
Thank you for this, Don. I have a lot of respect for you and I know we are of like mind politically. I’ll admit I am still frustrated that 17 months after the Trump pic I still don’t have a significant public advocate. Sometimes these frustrations bubble up unexpectedly. xoxo KG https://t.co/rAywe60SgJ
— Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) January 16, 2019
It didn’t take long for people to question the entire incident and wonder why Griffin would suddenly out of the blue target Don Cheadle over a Tweet that he posted more than a year ago.
@kathygriffin going after @DonCheadle is by far one of the weirdest things I’ve seen on Twitter recently.
Waiting for her to go after @Alyssa_Milano & @HalSparks in the same manner. I’ve looked and have see nothing towards them.
So what is the REAL issue?!— Camille ‘Midnight Angel’ Monae (@TheCamilleMonae) January 15, 2019
What do you make of Griffin’s attack on Don Cheadle? Do you buy her reasoning that she lashed out at Don Cheadle because she’s frustrated no one will speak up for her? Do you think this could be a cry for attention? How do you think Don Cheadle handled the situation?