A Milwaukee meteorologist has been terminated from her position at CBS affiliate WDJT-TV following inflammatory social media comments about Elon Musk.
Sam Kuffel, who had worked at Channel 58 since 2019, made public statements on social media accusing Musk of making a “Nazi salute” during a recent event.
In an Instagram story shared by conservative radio host Dan O’Donnell, Kuffel wrote stark and confrontational messages about Musk.
“Dude Nazi saluted twice,” she stated. “TWICE. During the inauguration.”
She followed up with an explicit statement: “You f*** with this and this man, I don’t f*** with you. Full stop.”
The meteorologist also shared a GIF from the television show “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” with a character declaring, “Screw that old b**ch. He’s a Nazi.”
News director Jessie Garcia confirmed Kuffel’s termination in a memo obtained by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
“Meteorologist Sam Kuffel is no longer employed at CBS58,” Garcia wrote.
The station has already initiated a search for her replacement.
Kuffel’s professional biography and photograph have been removed from the Channel 58 website, effectively erasing her previous presence at the station.
Musk, however, provided context for his gesture.
He explained that his action was intended as a gesture of gratitude to the audience who supported Donald Trump.
“Some elections are important, some are not. But this one, this one really mattered and I just want to say thank you for making it happen,” Musk said before making the gesture.
He added, “It is thanks to you that the future of civilization is assured.”
CNN came under fire on Monday after airing a segment that suggested Musk’s gesture resembled a Nazi salute.
Resist the Mainstream previously reported that CNN anchor Erin Burnett and her colleague described the gesture as “quick” and “unusual for a political rally,” leaving its meaning open to interpretation.
Burnett said, “I think our viewers are smart, and they can take a look at that.”
The footage was replayed repeatedly, with the anchors suggesting the motion could be interpreted as a Nazi salute.
The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) has since come to Musk’s defense with a statement on X that read, “It seems that [Musk] made an awkward gesture in a moment of enthusiasm, not a Nazi salute,” adding, “we appreciate that people are on edge.”
“In this moment, all sides should give one another a bit of grace, perhaps even the benefit of the doubt, and take a breath.”
“This is a new beginning. Let’s hope for healing and work toward unity in the months and years ahead,” the post continued, to which Musk replied, “Thanks guys,” accompanied with a laughing emoji.
The Daily Wire’s Ben Shapiro has also come to Musk’s defense with a series of X posts, one of which read, “The Left is so thoroughly defeated that they can’t call Trump Hitler anymore, so they seamlessly shifted over to calling Elon Hitler.”
