Baldwin launches Twitter rant

Members of the media congregate outside the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine in New York City prior to the funeral of James Gandolfini on Thursday, June 27.Members of the media congregate outside the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine in New York City prior to the funeral of James Gandolfini on Thursday, June 27.
Steve Buscemi, who was on the cast of "The Sopranos," arrives at the funeral.Steve Buscemi, who was on the cast of "The Sopranos," arrives at the funeral.
A hearse pulls up near a side entrance to the church.A hearse pulls up near a side entrance to the church.
Actor Michael Imperioli attends the funeral.Actor Michael Imperioli attends the funeral.
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie departs the funeral.New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie departs the funeral.
Aida Turturro, center, and Edie Falco, right, attend the funeral.Aida Turturro, center, and Edie Falco, right, attend the funeral.
Joe Pantoliano attends the funeral.Joe Pantoliano attends the funeral.
  • NEW: Shortly after the rant, his Twitter account is taken down
  • The actor wages a one-sided war of words with a journalist over a story
  • The story alleges Baldwin's wife was tweeting during James Gandolfini's funeral

(CNN) -- Alec Baldwin is at it again. And this time, a journalist is on the receiving end of his expletive-filled rant.

The actor waged a one-sided war of words with a Daily Mail journalist over a report alleging Baldwin's wife was tweeting during actor James Gandolfini's funeral Thursday.

"The pregnant yoga instructor's social media feed was full of upbeat posts while "The Sopranos" star's friends, family and co-stars were gripped with grief at a New York Catholic church," journalist George Stark wrote. "Messages included a request for ideas about wedding anniversary presents and promotional notes about her upcoming appearance on the Rachael Ray show."

A fiery Baldwin shot back in a torrent of tweets.

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"My wife and I attend a funeral to pay our respects to an old friend, and some toxic Brit writes this f****** trash," he tweeted.

"My wife DID NOT use her phone, in any capacity, at our friends funeral."

He threatened to find the writer of the story and "f****...you...up," referring to him as a "toxic little queen."

In addition to the rants, the star of the award-winning comedy "30 Rock" said he had fired his publicist.

His wife, Hilaria Baldwin, also weighed in on the report.

"I hope that this reporter knows how much pain and drama he has caused from his poor journalism," she tweeted. "Lying and bullying are shameful."

Attempts to reach the journalist were unsuccessful.

Twitter, which lets users post messages in 140 characters or less, also allows the advance scheduling of tweets to post later. It is unclear whether that was the case.

Shortly after the rant, Baldwin's Twitter account was taken down.

This is not the first time the actor has been engaged in a public confrontation.

In 2011, he was booted off an American Airlines flight because he refused to turn off his cell phone after the plane's doors were closed for departure.

He later apologized.

CNN's Elwyn Lopez contributed to this report

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