A Milwaukee meteorologist has been dismissed from her role at a local TV station after publicly criticizing Elon Musk on social media. The controversy began when Musk, who now heads the Department of Government Efficiency, made a gesture during a gathering at Capital One Arena following President Donald Trump’s inauguration. Some viewers compared his raised arm and chest-thumping motion to a Nazi salute, sparking heated discussions online.
Sam Kuffel, the meteorologist at the center of the storm, took to Instagram to voice her disapproval. In one post, she wrote, “Dude Nazi saluted twice. TWICE. During the inauguration.” She didn’t mince words, adding, “You f*** with this and this man, I don’t f*** with you. Full stop.” She also shared a GIF from It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia with the caption, “Screw that old b****. He’s a Nazi.”
Her comments quickly drew backlash, including from conservative radio host Dan O’Donnell, who accused her of spreading misinformation about Musk’s gesture. Within 24 hours, Jessie Garcia, the station’s news director, announced Kuffel’s departure in an internal memo, stating, “Meteorologist Sam Kuffel is no longer employed at CBS58.” The station is now seeking a new meteorologist.
Kuffel had been a familiar face at CBS58 for over five years and was well-regarded in the Milwaukee community. Before joining the station, she worked at WAOW-TV in Wausau after graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 2016. Her abrupt dismissal has raised questions about the boundaries of free speech and the repercussions of public statements.
In the midst of the controversy, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) stepped in to defend Musk. In a statement on X, they described his gesture as an “awkward moment of enthusiasm” rather than a Nazi salute. They encouraged people to extend “a bit of grace” and focus on unity during this politically divisive time.
Adding his voice to the conversation, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu supported Musk on X, stating that he was being “falsely smeared.” The incident underscores the challenges of navigating public discourse in an era of heightened sensitivity and rapid social media reactions.
