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A news channel has fired a meteorologist over social media posts that criticized Elon Musk for his gestures on stage at President Trump’s inauguration that some have described as ‘Nazi salutes’.
The Milwaukee-based employee, Sam Kuffel, had worked at the channel for six years before losing her role after apparently referring to Musk as a ‘Nazi’ in two Instagram posts.
Jessica Garcia, a news director at CBS affiliate Channel 58, wrote to staffers employed by the channel Wednesday, informing them that the meteorologist had been fired from her role.
“Meteorologist Sam Kuffel is no longer employed at CBS58,” said the memo, first reported by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. “A search for a replacement is underway.”
What did the CBS meteorologist post about Musk?
Channel 58 came under pressure from far-right activists after radio host Dan O’Donnell highlighted the posts on X.
“EXCLUSIVE: @CBS58 meteorologist Sam Kuffel makes a pair of vulgar Instagram posts while spreading the lie that Elon Musk was giving a Nazi salute during yesterday’s Presidential Inauguration,” O’Donnell remarked.
In the first post, Kuffel reportedly wrote: “Dude Nazi saluted twice. Twice. During the inauguration. You fuck with this and this man, I don’t fuck with you. Full stop.”
A subsequent post from Kuffel’s account – which since been made private – included a screenshot from the TV show ‘It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,’ in which a character says: “Screw that old bitch. He’s a Nazi.”
A spokesperson for Weigel Broadcasting confirmed to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that Kuffle had been relieved of her post but declined further comment as it was a ‘personnel issue.’
While many have likened Musk’s two on-stage gestures to a Nazi salute, an antisemitism and human rights watchdog has urged people to avoid jumping to conclusions. The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) described his actions as an “awkward gesture in a moment of enthusiasm.”
But some high-profile politicians have questioned the ADL’s response. Democratic representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez slammed the watchdog, accusing it of “defending a Heil Hitler salute that was performed and repeated for emphasis and clarity.”
Was CBS58 right to fire worker for social media conduct posts?
The swift sacking has prompted online discussion about whether the news channel was right to fire Kuffel for her apparent social media activity.
“Seriously, how could a NEWS organization FIRE someone for describing LITERALLY what this Nazi was doing – on her own personal social media page?” one individual posted on X. “It’s one thing if she did it on the air, but it was her social media. We are in DEEP trouble, folks.”
Another described O’Donell’s post as harassment, writing: “Shame on @CBS58 for firing Sam Kuffel for naming @elonmusk’s Nazi salute. Shame on @DanODonnellShow for mobilizing trolls to harass her & call for her job.”
The rise of social media has blurred the boundaries between personal and professional work, creating difficulties for HR teams in recent years.
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Although some social media behavior – namely, addressing work-related issues or sharing information about pay and working conditions with colleagues – is protected in over half of US states, there is a grey area when it comes to cases such as Kuffel’s reported activity.
Yvonne Evans, former Director of Employee Relations and Talent Management at the American Pharmacists Association, told HR Grapevine last year that there are now often situations where “behavior outside of work becomes a matter of concern for employers."
Without specific details of Weigel Broadcasting’s personnel policies, it is unclear whether Kuffel violated any company rules on social media conduct, if indeed such protocols are in place.
But Evans’ guidance suggests that moving quickly to fire an employee for breaking protocol may not always be the right approach.
“The alternative to firing for infractions against company policy is to provide clarity and understanding of the organization's policies and procedures regarding how and where to address problems,” she explained.
With political division growing in America, employers face challenges in protecting their workplaces and appropriately handling disagreements on social media that spill into the workplace.
Jared Pope, a benefits and employment law specialist and Founder & CEO of Work Shield, spoke to HR Grapevine about managing employee behavior outside of the workplace, including on private social media channels, in May 2024.
“It’s important for organizations to take a strong stance against what is and what is not tolerated within a workplace or from team members, such as behaviors like harassment, discrimination, or violence,” he advised.
“As always with these types of misconduct issues, incidents should be thoroughly investigated, preferably by a third party to remove any bias, and resolved based on the specific findings of that unique situation.”
Onion