When Robert Downey Jr. Took Hilarious Jabs at Tom Hiddleston: A Deep Dive Into Their Legendary Troll Moments

Robert Downey Jr. (RDJ) and Tom Hiddleston (TH) have long been known for their on-screen rivalry as Tony Stark/Iron Man and Loki in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), respectively. Their characters’ contentious dynamic in The Avengers (2012) has often mirrored their real-life interactions, especially in the form of light-hearted trolling. While this playful teasing is often shared on public platforms like social media and during press events, it’s clear that RDJ has particularly enjoyed poking fun at his fellow actor, creating memorable moments for their fans. Here, we delve into a few iconic instances where RDJ trolled Hiddleston, providing a glimpse into their fun and dynamic relationship.

1. Instagram Welcome and Taylor Swift Joke (August 9, 2016)
The trolling began when Tom Hiddleston joined Instagram amid his highly publicized relationship with pop star Taylor Swift. One of his most memorable moments during this period was wearing a tank top emblazoned with the phrase “I ❤️ T.S.,” which went viral across social media. RDJ couldn’t resist the opportunity to add some humor to the situation. He posted a blurry picture of Hiddleston in the iconic shirt, captioning it: “Join me in welcoming the biggest T. Stark fan of them all to Instagram!”

In this post, RDJ cleverly twisted “T.S.” to stand for Tony Stark, implying that Hiddleston’s heart wasn’t directed toward Taylor Swift, but to RDJ’s MCU persona. This playful roast quickly garnered attention across entertainment news outlets, including Business Insider and People, with reactions ranging from amusement to outright laughter. The post gained significant traction on social media, with notable mentions from popular entertainment accounts like @JustJared and @People on X, amassing a lot of likes and shares. RDJ’s light-hearted jab not only made headlines but also contributed to the ongoing media frenzy surrounding Hiddleston’s Swift relationship.

2. Follow-Up with “I ❤️ Loki” Shirt (August 2016)
RDJ’s playful trolling continued with a follow-up post that kept the theme going. In response to Hiddleston’s viral “I ❤️ T.S.” shirt, RDJ posted a selfie of himself wearing a black tank top with “I ❤️ Loki” printed on it, flipping the narrative and professing love for Hiddleston’s MCU character, Loki. This post came just after the initial Instagram exchange and was seen as another humorous way for RDJ to poke fun at his friend and co-star.

Media outlets like TIME picked up on this, calling it part of RDJ’s “Taylor Swift romance-themed fun,” further highlighting their dynamic and the ongoing joke between the two. While Hiddleston did not publicly respond to this playful gesture, the shirt meme continued to add fuel to their fun back-and-forth. This instance marked a continuation of their lighthearted rivalry, showing how RDJ embraced the opportunity to humorously engage with both his MCU role and Hiddleston’s newfound celebrity status.

3. Sharing a Fan-Made Poster for Avengers: Infinity War (2016)
Another instance of RDJ’s trolling occurred around the promotional period for Avengers: Infinity War. In 2016, RDJ shared a fan-made poster that featured an incorrect title—Parts 1 and 2—and hinted at a crossover with Netflix characters, which was an inaccurate representation of the film. While this instance wasn’t as direct as the previous Instagram posts, it was interpreted as RDJ’s playful teasing of the MCU’s future trajectory, possibly involving Tom Hiddleston’s Loki.

The fan-made poster was outdated, yet RDJ shared it without comment, leading to speculation that it might be a subtle nod to the impending MCU developments, including Hiddleston’s return as Loki. An article from Vocal described this as trolling, especially given the misleading nature of the poster. While RDJ’s intent was not explicitly to target Hiddleston, the fan reaction and timing made it another fun example of RDJ’s penchant for teasing his co-star.

4. Recent Activity and Future Dynamics
While most of the trolling occurred in 2016, the two actors remain central figures in the MCU. As of 2025, with the upcoming release of Avengers: Doomsday (set for May 2026), where RDJ will portray Doctor Doom and Hiddleston will reprise his role as Loki, it remains to be seen whether RDJ will continue his playful teasing. Despite this, recent interactions between the two have been more focused on professional endeavors, with little documented trolling. Hiddleston’s real-life endeavors, such as his charity soccer match against Usain Bolt, have garnered attention, but there has been little indication of any recent social media back-and-forth between the two.

The playful rivalry between RDJ and TH remains a beloved part of the MCU’s history, and their off-screen interactions only add to the fun. Whether through Instagram posts or cheeky comments, RDJ’s trolling of Tom Hiddleston has consistently been a highlight for fans, cementing their friendship as one of the most entertaining dynamics in Hollywood.

Conclusion
Robert Downey Jr.’s trolling of Tom Hiddleston, particularly during the height of Hiddleston’s relationship with Taylor Swift, stands out as some of the funniest and most memorable moments between the two MCU stars. From Instagram posts to fan-made posters, RDJ’s playful banter added an extra layer of enjoyment for fans following their respective MCU journeys. As they prepare to reunite on-screen for Avengers: Doomsday, the legacy of their off-screen camaraderie continues to entertain audiences, leaving us eagerly waiting for what may come next.