CNBC Smackdown: Billionaires Carl Icahn And Bill Ackman Have Explosive On-Air Fight [Video]
CNBC is blowing up Twitter right now, after an “epic” call-in fight between billionaires Carl Icahn and Bill Ackman on the network this afternoon.
Finance junkies and viewers in happenstance alike are tweeting up a storm about the CNBC face-off, in which the feuding personalities are apparently going head to head live on television.
Video of the CNBC smackdown between Icahn and Ackman has not yet hit the web, but choice soundbites have been circulating amid the microbloggers on Twitter, and Business Insider has been liveblogging the spectacular bickerfest. (Video now available at CNBC.)
Described by some viewers as “like a Facebook fight,” the CNBC segment has been captivating viewers for some time now, and the tags #Icahn and #Ackman are following CNBC up the trending list.
Swearing erupted, as well as some potentially offensive characterizations attributed to the content of the CNBC fight.
Some quotes include, from Icahn:
“I want to say what I want to say and I’m not going to talk about my Herbalife position because you’re bullying me … I want to talk about what I want to talk about. You can say whatever the hell you want … ”
“As far as I’m concerned, he wanted to have dinner with me. I couldn’t figure out if he was the most acrimonious guy I met in my life or just arrogant.”
” … let me finish what the hell I want to say … You let Ackman talk.”
In Ackman’s replies, he shot back:
“The big issue about Carl Icahn, is he’s not used to someone stepping up to him … Especially like me in 2003.”
“What I thank Carl for is he helped highlight issues with Herbalife.”
BI’s takedown of the CNBC smackdown is excellent, and here are some of the Twitter reactions to the live flamewar:
I just don’t remember the last time I’ve found CNBC this damn exciting two billionaires fight on live tv with cuss words flying all over
— LaRon Hickman (@LHNetwork) January 25, 2013
This is decision to work from home today was even more amazing after what just happened on CNBC #smackdown
— Ali Rana (@Alirana) January 25, 2013
Someone give Wapner a stiff drink.Well done. @cnbc
— Ivan the K (@IvanTheK) January 25, 2013
BRAVO TO CNBC: GREATEST MOMENT IN FINANCIAL TV IN HISTORY. FULL ROUNDUP HERE —> businessinsider.com/bill-ackman-on…
— Joseph Weisenthal (@TheStalwart) January 25, 2013
ICAHN ON ACKMAN: “I appreciate that you calling me a great investor. Unfortunately I can’t say the same for you.” read.bi/Wr8snC
— Business Insider (@businessinsider) January 25, 2013
RT @eisingerj: RT @katiebakes: The phrase “little Jewish boys cryin'” was just said on CNBC. This is the greatest Friday morning of my life.
— Henry Blodget (@hblodget) January 25, 2013
“I used to beat up little Jewish boys like you in school in Queens” – Carl Icahn billionaire investor on live tv @cnbc
— Jared Luegers (@Jluegers) January 25, 2013
The @forbes newsroom, transfixed by Carl Icahn’s epic CNBC call-in. twitter.com/jeffbercovici/…
— Jeff Bercovici (@jeffbercovici) January 25, 2013
