Former Navy SEAL turned podcast powerhouse Shawn Ryan is firing back at Rep. Dan Crenshaw, claiming the Texas congressman sent a cease-and-desist letter demanding he retract comments about Crenshaw's wealth and a lavish Christmas party. What started as an Instagram jab has spiraled into a public brawl, with Ryan refusing to back down and Crenshaw dismissing it as a misunderstanding among fellow SEALs.
This clash hit fever pitch on December 11, 2025, when Ryan dropped a no-holds-barred video on his Shawn Ryan Show YouTube channel. He's made documents public – the demand letter, his response, and the original messages – insisting transparency is key for his audience of veterans and truth-seekers.
The Spark: Party Pics and Stock Trade Suspicions
It all kicked off when Ryan commented on his podcast about Crenshaw hosting what looked like an over-the-top Christmas bash. On a congressional salary? Ryan raised eyebrows, pointing to reports of Crenshaw's stock trading amid access to classified info – a hot-button issue plaguing Capitol Hill.
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Ryan's core beef: "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's Instagram reply referenced his "boys at 6" (SEAL Team 6) hearing about Ryan's "indirect swipe," which Ryan called intimidating – especially after Crenshaw's hot-mic rant threatening to "kill" Tucker Carlson.
Ryan isn't alone; YouTubers like Jamesons Travels are amplifying the drama, noting how invoking elite units in a spat screams bad optics for a vet-turned-politico.
Crenshaw Fires Back: "Not Believable"
The congressman didn't stay silent. On X, Crenshaw mocked Ryan's threat claim: "Sorry Shawn, but it is not believable that a fellow SEAL actually read this message and believed I was threatening to ‘whoop his ass.’"
Crenshaw's official site keeps it Trump-focused, boasting about border wins and brushing off critics – no direct nod to the Ryan dust-up yet. But insiders say this could hurt his image among the military crowd that propelled his rise.
Why This Feud Hits Different
Both men are combat-tested SEALs, which amps the betrayal vibe. Ryan frames it as a power play: a DC law firm trying to muzzle questions on insider trading, a scandal that's snared everyone from Pelosi to Paul Pelosi.
Veterans online are rallying behind Ryan, seeing Crenshaw's lawyer-up move as dodging accountability. As one analyst put it, "This isn’t about intent. It’s about optics, power, and why invoking elite military units... crosses a line."
Key timeline:
| Date | Event |
|------|-------|
| Earlier 2025 | Ryan comments on Crenshaw's party and wealth on podcast |
| Recent | Crenshaw's Instagram message referencing SEAL Team 6 |
| Dec 9, 2025 | Cease-and-desist letter arrives |
| Dec 11, 2025 | Ryan's viral response video drops |
Fallout and What's Next
This isn't dying quietly – Ryan's video racked up views fast, fueling MAGA-world chatter about congressional grift. Crenshaw risks alienating his base if he sues a fellow vet over "fair game" questions.
For everyday folks, it's a reminder:
your lawmakers' finances are public business. Will Crenshaw release trade records? Drop the suit? Or does this escalate to court?
Ryan's stance is clear – no apology, no silence. In a town full of spin, his document dump sets a precedent. Keep an eye on X and YouTube; this SEAL showdown could redefine accountability in Congress.
Sources
1. Podcast host Shawn Ryan says Rep. Dan Crenshaw threatened to ...
2. IMMEDIATE RELEASE Rep. Dan Crenshaw Threatens to ... - YouTube
3. Shawn Ryan vs Dan Crenshaw… This Got Ugly Fast - YouTube
4. Congressman Dan Crenshaw
![[Shawn Ryan Accuses Dan Crenshaw of Legal Bullying Over Stock Trades and SEAL Threats – Feud Explodes Online]](https://static.outkick.com/www.outkick.com/content/uploads/2025/12/dan-crenshaw-1.jpg)