A local meteorologist for WDJT-TV (Channel 58) in Milwaukee was reportedly fired from her job after sharing profane social media posts criticizing Elon Musk. The meteorologist, Sam Kuffel, claimed that Musk “Nazi saluted” twice during the presidential inauguration ceremony. Her posts also included a meme and a personal threat against Musk. Kuffel’s employer removed her biography and picture from its website and informed staff that she was no longer employed at the station.
Musk had raised eyebrows during the inauguration when he placed his hand over his heart and then extended it to the crowd twice while saying “My heart goes out to you.” Some critics accused him of performing a Nazi salute, but Musk’s actions were defended by the Anti-Defamation League and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Netanyahu described Musk as a “great friend of Israel” and praised his support for the country’s right to defend itself against terrorism.
While Kuffel was not the only person to criticize Musk for his actions, her comments were widely seen as out of bounds. Podcaster Joe Rogan also criticized her, arguing that she was “crying wolf” and engaging in a bad faith debate. The exact reasons for Kuffel’s departure from WDJT-TV are unclear, but it is understood that the incident was a “personnel issue.”
