WASHINGTON (TNND) — Former Navy SEAL and podcast host Shawn Ryan alleged on Thursday that Texas Republican Rep. Dan Crenshaw threatened to sue him for defamation over comments made on his show regarding the congressman’s wealth and lifestyle.
In a video posted on X, Ryan said Crenshaw’s team demanded that he remove content, issue a public apology, and stop discussing him altogether.
“I’m not going to do any of that,” Ryan said.
The Comments That Sparked the Dispute
Ryan explained that he previously questioned Crenshaw’s apparent rise in wealth and mentioned the congressman’s “lavish Christmas party” during an episode of his show.
Shortly afterward, he said Crenshaw personally reached out to him via Instagram.
Ryan shared a screenshot of the message, in which Crenshaw wrote:
“Hey Shawn, you have the ability to contact your fellow Team Guy if you’ve got a problem with me or have questions about how I’m getting ‘rich.’ Some of my boys at 6 told me about your indirect swipe at me. From the comment you made, it sounds like you have some beliefs that are based on trendy narratives instead of facts.”
Crenshaw, also a former Navy SEAL, referenced SEAL Team 6, the elite special operations unit.
Ryan Calls the Message ‘Threatening’
Ryan said he perceived the message as intimidating, especially given Crenshaw’s previous controversial remark in which he was caught on a hot mic saying he would “kill” former Fox News host Tucker Carlson if he ever met him — a comment Crenshaw later dismissed as a joke.
Ryan defended his commentary, stating that questioning the financial activities of elected officials is legitimate.
“I asked questions about Congressman Crenshaw’s wealth. Those questions are fair game,” Ryan said.
“He is a public official. He trades stocks while having access to classified and non-public information. The public has a right to ask how he’s getting rich while he’s in office.”
Crenshaw Responds
Crenshaw later responded to Ryan’s video on X, though he did not directly address whether legal action is still being pursued.
Further details on Crenshaw’s response were not available at the time of publication.
