Country singer John Rich blasted Clay Aiken as "racist" and "idiotic" for a tweet the "American Idol" alum sent out about the Republican National Convention, referencing the lack of African-American attendees in Tampa and the alcohol-free lifestyle of Mormons.
On Tuesday evening, while watching the convention, Aiken tweeted about an RNC-themed drinking game he was playing with his family.
Rich, a Republican, quickly fired off multiple responses to Aiken:
Rich and Aiken both participated on Donald Trump's "The Celebrity Apprentice." Aiken placed as the runner-up earlier this year and played for his charity the National Inclusion Project, according to the Hollywood Reporter. Rich, who is part of the country duo Big & Rich, won the 2011 season and played for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
THR also noted that Rich came back during the most recent season to interview the final four and offer his recommendations to Trump. Rich interviewed Aiken, who eventually lost to Arsenio Hall, during this segment.
Aiken fired back at Rich's comments about "inclusion" and "exclusion."
Aiken has spoken out in support of President Obama and his stance on gay marriage.
In 2008, Aiken came out as gay to People magazine. Aiken, a Born-Again Christian from North Carolina, said that he owed it to his son to reveal the truth. "I cannot raise a child to lie or to hide things. I wasn't raised that way, and I'm not going to raise a child to do that," he said at the time.
The singer went to bat for the president during an interview with Tony Perkins, president of the conservative Christian organization Family Research Council. Perkins believed that Obama's support of same-sex marriage would give Republicans a boost, but Aiken disagreed, according to CBS News.
"I think the people who say it will matter on either side of the equation, probably were not going to vote for Obama or were going to vote for President Obama anyway," he said, adding that gay men and women will be more energized to support Obama now.
Check out celebrity reactions to Obama's announcement below: