John Cusack caught up in Twitter storm

Hollywood star John Cusack has been accused of "making threats" against an American television station following a frustrated outburst on microblogging site Twitter.

The High Fidelity star penned a controversial response to repeated questions from Twitter users about whether he supported plans to build an Islamic centre near the site of the September 11 terrorism attack in New York City.

"I AM FOR A SATANIC DEATH CULT CENTER AT FOX NEWS HQ AND OUTSIDE THE OFFICES [of] DICK ARMEY AND NEWT GINGRICH-and all the GOP WELFARE FREAKS," Cusack tweeted on Monday, NZ time.

Fox News hit back the next day, saying it was not surprised by the outspoken actor's views.

"He supported Barack Obama in the 2008 presidential election and has contributed to The Huffington Post, but this is the first known time he has stooped to the level of making threats," reporter Jo Piazza wrote.

Piazza quoted a Beverley Hills-based psychiatrist, who criticised Cusack for making the potentially dangerous remarks.

"His provocative tweets could easily incite a rabid fan to commit violent acts against Fox News Headquarters and others he names," Dr Carole Lieberman told the network.

"Fans could not only be influenced because of their devotion to Cusack, the man, but also because of their love for one of the characters he plays."

Cusack, 44, later referred to the comments as a "most absurd, over the top joke", uttered "after the 9000th time I was asked about ground zero center".

The Twitterverse wasted no time telling the actor, who is known for making his political views heard, he had said too much.

"No more John Cusack movies for me, Johnny's gone off the deep end," user LostLisa said.

But Cusack hit back at the 'Twitter police' with a few more sarcastic tweets.

"Hope twipolice tell me what' sok comming out myown little twi-feed....no jokes no CAPS-- no tonaly quesytionabe insights into politcis," he wrote on Tuesday night, local time.

"I want to be a good boy for them all - did i miss something? any other rules i should follow?"

- © Fairfax NZ News