Dave Portnoy criticized Alix Earle for dodging questions about her feud with Alex Cooper as the online back-and-forth continues.
Dave Portnoy is making it very clear where he stands in the unfolding Alix Earle and Alex Cooper feud, and it isn’t with the influencer who, according to him, won’t answer the questions head-on.
After Earle. 25. sidestepped questions about her ongoing drama with Cooper. 31. during an appearance on the Tuesday. May 12. episode of the Today show. Portnoy. 49. took to social media to call out her handling of the situation.. The Barstool Sports owner argued that while Earle has taken part in the viral back-and-forth online. she has refused to explain what the disagreement is actually about.
In his “Tea by the Sea” segment. Portnoy said he understands why many people are drawn to Earle. describing her as a major force in the “girly” corner of social media.. He also emphasized that he isn’t dismissing Cooper or Earle as people. adding that he likes both women. before pivoting to his main complaint: Earle’s approach. he said. has been “dog s***.”
Portnoy’s criticism centers on the idea that Earle has repeatedly “taken shots” at Cooper online. He pointed to reposts of videos in recent months that criticize Cooper and argued that even with promises to address the issue, Earle has not provided any direct explanation for what’s behind the rift.
The dispute came to a head in a very public way on Today.. When Craig Melvin asked Earle about the “back and forth” between her and Cooper and pressed for what was “really going on. ” Earle chose to steer the conversation away from the feud.. She told Melvin she was trying to keep things positive and suggested the segment didn’t have enough time to dive deep. later responding to further questioning that the drama was “exaggerated” and that she “love[s] everyone.”
Portnoy compared that avoidance to his own approach to online conflict. suggesting that if someone is going to post or react. they should be willing to respond when the other side asks for clarity.. He argued that Cooper’s stance in the public conversation is straightforward—if there’s a problem. she wants it stated directly—and said he believes Earle’s refusal to engage directly leaves fans and followers stuck with speculation.
He also framed the issue as a matter of credibility.. In his view, Earle cannot keep taking public jabs and then disappear when asked to address the conflict.. Portnoy said that he doesn’t need a “team” or a “script” to handle something like this. adding that he’s now “officially Team Cooper. ” even while saying he still doesn’t know what exactly “happened.”
The broader timeline behind the feud adds context to why fans have been watching so closely.. Earle and Cooper previously worked together after Earle launched her “Hot Mess” podcast under Cooper’s Unwell Network in 2023 and developed what was described as a friendship.. That podcast was later dropped in 2025, which helped fuel speculation that tensions had formed between the women.
A source later told that tension built after the pair began working together. describing clashes “over business” and suggesting it affected their personal relationship as well.. While the specifics of those conflicts have remained contested in public discussion. the behind-the-scenes friction appears to be part of what’s feeding the ongoing online debate.
Portnoy’s comments also landed amid additional public escalation from Cooper.. Earlier this year. Earle reposted a TikTok video that accused Cooper of being an “ambulance chaser. ” alleging she interviews people at their worst moments.. Cooper then addressed Earle directly in an April TikTok video. where she said she was tired of seeing Earle use what she described as “fake drama” to distract from other issues. and challenged her to explain “what happened.” Cooper added that she has “nothing to hide.”
Earle appeared to acknowledge Cooper’s message with an “OK, on it!” response at the time, but she has not publicly addressed the feud in a deeper, direct way since. Cooper, meanwhile, did not issue further responses after her initial video.
Portnoy closed his rant by arguing that Earle has had “plenty of time” to come forward. but has chosen to say “zip.” He said that approach—taking shots while refusing to back them up—doesn’t fit the image-building that he believes social media participants sometimes aim for.. In his view, it leaves little room for fans to understand the dispute beyond headlines and viral clips.
In a follow-up that complicated the conversation around his involvement, Portnoy later clarified a separate claim. An update posted hours later said he didn’t call Earle; he wrote in the comments of his Instagram post, “I didn’t call her. I just thought it was funny.”
The attention around the feud has also continued to spread beyond influencer circles. with more celebrity commentary appearing as the storyline plays out online.. Meanwhile. Earle was promoting her new Sports Illustrated cover during her Today appearance. and Earle’s team has not provided a comment response to questions about the conflict.
Dave Portnoy Alix Earle Alex Cooper Tea by the Sea Today show feud Unwell Network