A Milwaukee TV meteorologist lost her job Wednesday for posting to Instagram that Elon Musk “Nazi saluted twice” on Inauguration Day.
Employees at WDJT-TV (Channel 58) were told Wednesday that weather forecaster Sam Kuffel was no longer with the station, as reported by the Journal Sentinel.
As news of Kuffel’s firing reached the community, a number of people, nationally and locally, both supported and opposed the move by the local CBS affiliate.
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 fiercely threw his arm forward with palm facing down akin to a Nazi salute. Musk then did it a second time.
There’s debate on when that gesture originated, but many argue the Roman empire, hence why some refer to it as the Roman salute. Italy’s fascist leader, Benito Mussolini, his party, and the Nazis in Germany copied the idea, adopting a similar gesture with a slightly lower extended hand. The move is illegal in several countries, including Germany.
After making the gestures, the billionaire, born in South Africa, continued his speech, saying, “My heart goes out to you” while placing his hand on his chest. “It is thanks to you that the future of civilization is assured.”
The Anti-Defamation League, an antisemitism and human rights watchdog, called it an “awkward gesture” and urged caution in jumping to conclusions, but some self-identified white supremacists said they were emboldened by the gestures.
In one post on her personal Instagram account, Kuffel posted a picture of Musk at the podium, saying, “Dude Nazi saluted twice. TWICE. During the inauguration.”
She added, “You (expletive) with this and this man, I don’t (expletive) with you. Full stop.”
Kuffel then posted a GIF from “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” on Instagram along with the saying, “Screw that old (expletive). He’s a Nazi.”
On Tuesday, conservative radio host Dan O’Donnell sharply criticized Kuffel for her two Instagram posts, accusing her of “spreading the lie that Elon Musk was giving a Nazi salute.” He labeled her posts “vulgar.”
Kuffel’s biography and picture had been removed from Channel 58 website by Wednesday afternoon.
“Meteorologist Sam Kuffel is no longer employed at CBS58,” said the staff memo from news director Jessie Garcia that was obtained by the Journal Sentinel. “A search for a replacement is underway.”
A spokeswoman for Weigel Broadcasting Co. confirmed via email late Wednesday that Kuffel was no longer with Channel 58. But the spokeswoman said she couldn’t comment further because this was a personnel issue.
Kuffel, 31, developed a social media following locally, typically commenting on Wisconsin sports teams and providing weather updates. She couldn’t be reached for comment Wednesday.
According to her LinkedIn page, Kuffel joined Channel 58 more than five years ago. She previously worked at WAOW-TV (Channel 9) in Wausau after graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 2016. She was also a regular on the all-sports radio station WRNW-FM (97.3).
O’Donnell’s tweet and Kuffel’s subsequent firing set off a firestorm of social media reactions.
Supporters say Kuffel called it accurate and she should ‘sue’
Some support Kuffel’s firing and are joyous
Reddit photo likens O’Donnell to Hitler, radio host responds
Debate on Reddit heated up quickly. A photo of O’Donnell with a drawn on Adolf Hitler mustache began to circulate. The conservative radio host took to X on Wednesday:
