Fox News host Jesse Watters says a chance encounter with actor Shia LaBeouf in 2019 turned ugly when the Hollywood star told him to “go F” himself inside a Delta airport lounge. Watters recalled the moment during a live interview with director David Mamet — whose new film Henry Johnson stars LaBeouf — and asked Mamet to “say hi” to the actor for him.

Watters has mentioned the incident before, claiming LaBeouf also called him “trash” in front of his children. LaBeouf has never publicly responded, leaving the story to live on as a strange clash between Hollywood and cable news. What exactly happened that day in the lounge? Full story 👇👇👇

Jesse Watters Reveals Shia LaBeouf Once Cursed Him Out in an Airport Lounge

Fox News host Jesse Watters has never shied away from controversy, but one of his more unusual encounters happened far from the TV studio—inside an airport lounge in 2019. During a candid exchange on his primetime show this week, Watters claimed that Hollywood actor Shia LaBeouf hurled a vulgar insult at him in the middle of a Delta lounge, an episode he says still sticks in his mind to this day.

The Unexpected Anecdote During a Live Interview

The revelation came on Tuesday during an interview with playwright and director David Mamet, who was promoting his latest film Henry Johnson, starring none other than Shia LaBeouf. Watters used the opportunity to share a personal story, telling Mamet:

“Well, Shia LaBeouf told me to go F myself at a Delta lounge at the airport a couple years ago,” Watters said. “So tell him I said ‘Hi.’ Will you do that for me?”

The comment drew a chuckle from Mamet, but it also opened the door to a larger discussion about celebrity behavior, media perception, and how personal encounters can sometimes overshadow public reputations.

A Story Watters Has Told Before

This wasn’t the first time Watters has spoken about the incident. In a 2020 appearance on The Ingraham Angle, he recalled that the actor had called him “trash” during the same confrontation—and did so in front of his children. That extra detail seemed to strike a chord with Watters, who has long positioned himself as a family-oriented figure in his public persona.

Although the exact circumstances of the 2019 meeting remain unclear—what sparked the exchange, whether words were traded before the insult, or if it was a one-sided outburst—the moment has taken on a life of its own in Watters’ personal narrative.

Shia LaBeouf in 2019: A Career and Life in Flux

At the time of the alleged incident, Shia LaBeouf’s career was at a turning point. Known for his early Disney Channel work and breakout roles in the Transformers franchise, LaBeouf had spent much of the preceding decade oscillating between critical acclaim for indie projects and headlines for off-screen controversies.

In 2019, LaBeouf starred in Honey Boy, a deeply personal film he wrote based on his own childhood and complicated relationship with his father. That same year, he began a relationship with British musician and actress FKA Twigs, whom he met during the film’s production.

The Legal Battle With FKA Twigs

By late 2020, that relationship became the subject of serious allegations. FKA Twigs filed a lawsuit accusing LaBeouf of sexual battery, assault, and infliction of emotional distress. The lawsuit cast a long shadow over his career and public image. The trial was set for September 2025, but in a surprising move, Twigs filed to dismiss the case in July 2025, just months before it was due to begin.

In a joint statement, LaBeouf and Twigs said, “While the details of the settlement will remain private, we wish each other personal happiness, professional success and peace in the future.”

A Personal Transformation

In the years following the Delta lounge confrontation with Watters, LaBeouf’s personal life has shifted dramatically. The actor converted to Catholicism in a ceremony officiated by Capuchin Franciscan friars, a step he has described as transformative. He also became a father, welcoming daughter Isabel with wife and fellow actor Mia Goth.

The move toward a quieter, more private lifestyle appears to contrast sharply with the impulsive, confrontational image that Watters’ story paints. Whether the 2019 incident was an isolated flash of temper or reflective of a then-ongoing struggle in LaBeouf’s life remains a matter of speculation.

Jesse Watters’ Perspective

For Watters, the LaBeouf incident fits into a broader worldview he often shares with his audience—that mainstream Hollywood is dismissive, if not outright hostile, toward conservative media figures. While Watters didn’t frame the story as a political attack, the idea of a Hollywood star openly insulting a Fox News host has fed into that cultural divide narrative.

Watters, who has built his career as a sharp-tongued commentator and anchor, seemed amused rather than deeply offended when recounting the exchange. Still, the inclusion of his children in the story adds a layer of personal grievance that resonates with his viewers.

Public Reaction to the Revelation

The latest retelling of the Delta lounge episode quickly caught the attention of media outlets and social media users. Some sided with Watters, seeing LaBeouf’s alleged behavior as inappropriate and disrespectful. Others dismissed the story as a minor celebrity spat or suggested Watters may be using it to score cultural points with his audience.

On platforms like X (formerly Twitter), the reactions ranged from supportive—“Classless move from LaBeouf, especially in front of kids”—to skeptical—“This sounds like something out of a Fox News bit.”

Shia LaBeouf’s Silence

LaBeouf has not responded publicly to Watters’ claim, either now or when it was first made several years ago. Given his focus on family life, religious faith, and rebuilding his career, it’s possible he views engaging with the story as unnecessary. Still, the lack of denial leaves the anecdote hanging in the public consciousness.

David Mamet’s Involvement

The timing of Watters’ revelation—during an interview with David Mamet—also drew interest. Mamet’s new project, Henry Johnson, features LaBeouf in a leading role, signaling a potential return to higher-profile acting work for the embattled actor. Watters’ request for Mamet to “say hi” to LaBeouf seemed to be delivered with a mix of humor and pointed reminder of their past encounter.

An Illustration of Celebrity Culture Clashes

Ultimately, the Watters–LaBeouf airport lounge story serves as a microcosm of the broader tension between Hollywood’s creative class and conservative media figures. It’s a clash of worlds—one rooted in political and cultural divides, the other in the unpredictability of personal encounters.

The fact that this moment, brief as it may have been, continues to be revisited years later speaks to the way celebrity interactions—especially those that turn sour—can live on in public memory.

Looking Ahead for Both Men

Watters remains a fixture at Fox News, where his primetime program blends news commentary with pop culture discussion. He shows no sign of letting the LaBeouf story fade quietly, especially now that the actor is back in the spotlight.

LaBeouf, meanwhile, appears intent on rebuilding his professional life while maintaining a lower public profile. His work with Mamet could signal the start of a new chapter—one focused on acting craft rather than personal drama. Whether the airport lounge incident will remain a footnote or resurface in future press cycles likely depends on whether LaBeouf chooses to address it.

The Lasting Image

For now, the image of a Hollywood actor and a cable news host crossing paths in a quiet airport lounge—only for the moment to erupt into a pointed insult—remains an oddly compelling story. It’s a reminder that, no matter their public personas, celebrities are still capable of unfiltered, human reactions. And when those moments are shared years later, they can take on a life of their own, blurring the lines between personal memory and public narrative.