In a recent exchange that has captured the media's attention, radio icon Howard Stern has fired back at former President Donald Trump, following the latter's critique of Stern's self-proclaimed "woke" stance. The back-and-forth between the two prominent figures, once friends, has reignited discussions about the evolving nature of public discourse and the role of media personalities in shaping it.

Last week, Stern proudly declared on his SiriusXM show that he was "woke," a term often used to describe heightened awareness of social injustices. "To me, the opposite of woke is being asleep," Stern remarked. He further elaborated, "If woke means I can't get behind Trump, which is what I think it means, or that I support people who want to be transgender or I'm for the vaccine, dude, call me woke as you want."

Trump, not one to shy away from voicing his opinions, took to his Truth Social platform to offer a scathing critique of Stern. Describing the radio host as "a weak, pathetic, and disloyal guy," Trump lamented the days when Stern was a frequent guest on his show. "I did his show many times in the good old days, and then he went woke, and nobody cares about him any longer," Trump wrote. He further added that Stern's "influence is gone" and without it, he's "got NOTHING."

Stern, in his characteristic style, responded to Trump's comments on his Monday show. Expressing surprise at being the subject of Trump's ire, Stern mused, "Imagine you got to be the 45th president of the United States and you're sitting and writing about Howard Stern." He humorously suggested that his declaration of being "woke" might have stolen some of Trump's media spotlight, leading to the former president's outburst.

The radio host's recent comments and the subsequent exchange with Trump are indicative of Stern's evolving public persona. Once known for his controversial remarks and shock jock style, Stern has in recent years been more vocal about social issues, often taking stances that align with progressive values. This transformation hasn't been without its critics, but it also highlights the broader shifts in media and public discourse.

While the spat between Stern and Trump might be seen by some as just another celebrity feud, it underscores the changing dynamics of media influence, the power of platforms like Truth Social, and the ongoing debates about what it means to be "woke" in today's society.