A recent social media dispute has captured public attention after Katherine Asplundh, the new wife of billionaire Cabot Asplundh, attempted to acquire an Instagram handle from another user who shares her new surname. This incident occurred shortly after Katherine married into the wealthy Asplundh family, known for their tree-trimming business empire.
Katherine, who transitioned from her maiden name Driscoll to Asplundh following her wedding in Palm Beach, Florida, found that her desired Instagram username was already taken. She reached out to the owner of the handle, identified only as Kate, with a proposal to buy the username. However, Instagram’s policies strictly prohibit the buying and selling of accounts, a fact Kate pointed out in declining the offer.
The conversation escalated quickly when Katherine appeared to question the authenticity of Kate’s use of the Asplundh name. Despite Kate’s initial openness to changing her username, she felt put off by Katherine’s approach, which she perceived as entitled. Kate subsequently shared screenshots of their exchange on social media, where it went viral, drawing widespread criticism towards Katherine’s behavior.
Katherine’s messages suggested disbelief that there could be another Katherine Asplundh, despite her understanding that the name was not unique to her husband’s family. This entitlement sparked further controversy and backlash online, where commenters criticized her for her approach and disbelief.
Kate revealed that she was indeed open to relinquishing the username but was deterred by Katherine’s tone and insistence. The interaction ended with Katherine reportedly threatening to report Kate to Instagram for violating policies by discussing the sale of her account, despite Kate’s clarification that she was not interested in selling.
The situation highlights the complex dynamics of social media etiquette and the legalities of account ownership on platforms like Instagram, where usernames are often a sensitive and valuable aspect of one’s online identity. This incident has not only stirred conversations about social media behaviors but also about the entitlement sometimes exhibited by individuals in positions of wealth and influence.
The fallout from this dispute continues to unfold on social media, with Katherine facing significant public relations backlash and having to briefly privatize her Instagram account due to the flood of negative comments.