Meteorologist who called out Elon Musk on private Instagram account reportedly fired
A Milwaukee TV weather forecaster has been let go by CBS58 after calling out Elon Musk for a gesture that many have compared to a Nazi salute.
Staff at WDJT-TV (Channel 58) were informed via email on Wednesday that meteorologist Sam Kuffel was no longer working with the station.
By the afternoon, the 31-year-old's biography and picture had been removed from Channel 58 website.
The email from news director Jessie Garcia, obtained by the Journal Sentinel, read: "Meteorologist Sam Kuffel is no longer employed at CBS58. A search for a replacement is underway."
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Kuffel's departure was confirmed by a spokesperson for Weigel Broadcasting Co., which owns the station. However, the spokesperson declined to comment further due to it being a personnel issue.
The controversy began after Kuffel made two Instagram posts about Musk's gesture during a speech at a President Donald Trump inauguration event on Monday.
She has been accused of 'spreading the lie that Elon Musk was giving a Nazi salute' during the presidential inauguration, as said by conservative radio host Dan O'Donnell.
The host heavily criticised her posts as 'vulgar.'
On Tuesday, she made two Instagram posts about Musk's gesture during a speech at a President Donald Trump inauguration event on Monday.
The Anti-Defamation League and other experts have classed it solely as an 'awkward gesture' and advised against people jumping to conclusions.
“This is a delicate moment," The Anti-Defamation League stated after the event. "It’s a new day and yet so many are on edge. Our politics are inflamed, and social media only adds to the anxiety."
In one post, Kuffel shared a picture of Musk at the podium, saying: "Dude Nazi saluted twice. TWICE. During the inauguration.
"You (expletive) with this and this man, I don't (expletive) with you. Full stop."
The meteorologist then posted a GIF from It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia with the saying: "Screw that old (expletive). He's a Nazi."
By Tuesday evening, Kuffel had switched her Instagram account to private.
That same day, Kuffel was quoted in a CNN story about layoffs affecting meteorologists across the country.
"Local meteorologists are essential to local news. Communities will suffer during major, local weather events because of this decision," Kuffel wrote.
Joining Channel 58 more than five years ago, Kuffel previously worked at WAOW-TV (Channel 9) in Wausau after graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 2016, according to her LinkedIn account.
She was also a regular voice on Milwaukee sports radio station WRNW-FM (97.3).