A CBS television station has fired one of their meteorologists after she made a Nazi-related post on social media this week. Milwaukee, Wisconsin’s WDJT CBS 58 parted ways with Samantha “Sam” Kuffel after she posted a profanity-laden image on Instagram that accused Elon Musk of being a Nazi based on his appearance at President Donald Trump’s inauguration celebration on Monday.
Musk was speaking during the inauguration celebration Monday and was thanking supporters of President Donald Trump for the election result when he put his right hand to his heart and then passionately threw his arm forward with palm facing down as he said, “My heart goes out to you…it is thanks to you that the future of civilization is assured.”
Kuffel used her personal Instagram account to say Elon Musk was making a Nazi salute, an assertion Musk has fiercely rejected.
The Anti-Defamation League, an antisemitism and human rights watchdog, called the arm movement an “awkward gesture” and urged caution in jumping to conclusions and accusing it of being anything other than an innocent gesture. “In this moment, all sides should give one another a bit of grace, perhaps even the benefit of the doubt, and take a breath,” the ADL said. “This is a new beginning. Let’s hope for healing and work toward unity in the months and years ahead.”
Kuffel’s post generated some outrage online on Tuesday; by Wednesday, she was fired. “Meteorologist Sam Kuffel is no longer employed at CBS58,” said a memo distribute to station staff on Wednesday. Her photograph and biography were also removed from the station website. A spokesperson for the station couldn’t elaborate more on her termination other than to say it is a personnel issue.
Kuffel had been with the Milwaukee CBS station since December 2019. Prior to that, she was a meteorologist for three years with Wausau, Wisconsin’s WAOW-TV. She’s a graduate of the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee and has a Bachelor of Science in Atmospheric Science and Meteorology.
The termination has caused some praise in support and some criticism against. Online, people have said she shouldn’t defame Musk, while others say an employer shouldn’t take employment action based on a personal social media account posting.
