Milwaukee TV Weather Forecaster Dropped After Criticizing Elon Musk’s Gesture
Milwaukee TV station WDJT-TV (Channel 58) has dropped its meteorologist Sam Kuffel just one day after she criticized Elon Musk’s straight-arm gesture during the presidential inauguration, likening it to a Nazi salute. Kuffel’s biography and picture had been removed from the Channel 58 website by Wednesday afternoon. A search for a replacement is underway.
According to a news director’s email obtained by the Journal Sentinel, “Meteorologist Sam Kuffel is no longer employed at CBS58.” A spokeswoman for Weigel Broadcasting Co. confirmed that Kuffel was no longer with Channel 58 but declined to comment further due to the personnel matter.
Kuffel, a 31-year-old meteorologist, had posted two Instagram pictures criticizing Musk’s gesture, labeling it a “Nazi salute” and directing her followers to “screw that old Nazi.” Her social media posts went viral, leading to backlash and criticism from some, including conservative radio host Dan O’Donnell, who accused her of spreading a false narrative.
Musk, who has not denied the allegations, has made light of the situation and lashed out at critics. The Anti-Defamation League and other extremism monitors called for caution, noting that the gesture was unclear and may not have been intentionally meant to salute the Nazi Party.
Kuffel had joined Channel 58 over five years ago and previously worked at WAOW-TV and WRNW-FM.