Steven Crowder, as part of his self-styled "free agency" period in which his podcast Louder With Crowder is not affiliated with a larger organization, recently scoffed at and publicly shamed an offer he received to have his show go under another organization, one that was later revealed to be The Daily Wire.

Watch my full response to the Daily Wire here: https://t.co/yfu7uvVpd7

— Steven Crowder (@scrowder) January 19, 2023

Ben Shapiro, a co-founder of Daily Wire, seemingly took offense to Steven's public comments about the contract, especially the words Crowder used to equate the contract to "slavery." Over the last 24 hours, the controversy surrounding all of this has since stirred up tons of discussions and debates online.

What bothers me about scrowder</a> v. <a href="https://twitter.com/realDailyWire?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">realDailyWire is the tribalistic response from the public. You can think Crowder is right & not be stupid. You can think Daily Wire is right without being a “pro-censorship big tech shill”. Social media is the antithesis to nuanced discourse.

— Viva Frei (@thevivafrei) January 20, 2023

.@RealCandaceO on Steven Crowder: "Unrelatable. People are trying to pay for bacon and eggs right now at the grocery store…and you're over here crying because somebody couldn't meet you at $120 million…It was a total bitch move." pic.twitter.com/7LeKQieER8

— Candace Owens Podcast (@candaceowenspod) January 19, 2023

In particular, the term "slavery" being used despite the contract being for a whopping $50 million over a four-year period has angered a lot of people online, with many seeing this as a "no-brainer" deal and others shaming both parties for this public fighting.

Steven Crowder when he sees someone unable to support their family while working 50 hours a week: The minimum wage should be even lower. I love capitalism!

Steven Crowder when Ben Shapiro offers him $50 million to make videos: HE IS TRYING TO EXPLOIT MY LABOR! THIS IS SLAVERY!!!

— KnowNothing (@KnowNothingTV) January 19, 2023

Holy fuck Steven Crowder was offered $50 million from the Daily Wire and not only turned it down but he's so offended by the offer that he's putting them on blast.

Ever wonder why there's so many right wing grifters? Because it fucking pays

— The Serfs (@theserfstv) January 19, 2023

Naturally, when something happens between two big-name people or organizations, there are sides that are picked for their own objective reasons. As such, some are picking Shapiro's side in the viral debate because of his history of supporting Crowder in the past, as well as saying that $50 million and the language of the contract were fair.

Others, however, are supporting Crowder against Shapiro for stating that Crowder's points on the contract equating to an expanded overreach of "big tech censorship" is something that should be stood against in all forms. Also being pushed into the mix through anecdote is Alex Jones, who purportedly was less controlling over the content and performance of who he gave money to than Shapiro is.

Ben Shapiro was Steven Crowder's first lawyer. Ben helped Steven negotiate his first contract.

When YouTube demonetize Crowder, Ben made so much noise about it that Susan Wojcicki called him personally, and he yelled at her. On Crowder's behalf.

Truly objectionable behavior.

— Sour Patch Lyds 👎🏻🇺🇦 (@sourpatchlyds) January 20, 2023

Why @scrowder is right – why penalize for big tech strikes when youre building a membership business

Why DW is right – Crowder is owed nothing from DW and people can choose to join or not, no one is owed DW resources

1/

— Tim Pool (@Timcast) January 20, 2023

On the Crowder thing…

I’ve negotiated with everyone you can think of in the space. Even in last few months with Blaze and DW. Sometimes you get there sometimes not. But can truly say I’ve never had bad interaction with anyone at either company. Independence was key for me…

— Dave Rubin (@RubinReport) January 20, 2023

When I was sponsored by Alex Jones, he never took control of my social media, never demanded my ad revenue, and never penalized me for getting censored by big tech. It was great. @scrowder is right. This is the way conservatives should do business.

— Kaitlin Bennett (@KaitMarieox) January 20, 2023

Aside from those personally involved in the highly publicized contract battle or offering their takes, many appeared to be simply annoyed or dismissive about the whole debacle, as well as others finding it fodder for memes and jokes.

(reads the words "Stephen Crowder $50 million contract") pic.twitter.com/AxoypMNRj4

— Rob (@robrousseau) January 19, 2023

Who had “Stephen Crowder going to war with the Daily Wire” on their 2023 bingo card?

— i cook with TALLOW (@justquinn9) January 18, 2023

I don't give a fuck about Stephen Crowder or The Daily Wire. pic.twitter.com/uZ403Y69Xq

— Great Ape Reset🌎☄️💥 (@Last_Individual) January 20, 2023

As the controversy ensues, fellow podcaster Elijah Schaffer shared one take on the issue that is at least unlikely to lead to getting dragged on social media for picking the wrong side, which is to simply say, "Thanks Obama."

At this point I admit I have no idea what’s going with this DW/Crowder issue

It’s just getting weirder by the day

I’m going to take the safe bet & blame Obama for all of this

It hasn’t been the same since 2008

— E (@ElijahSchaffer) January 20, 2023