A Milwaukee weather reporter has been let go from her position after publicly criticizing Elon Musk on social media. The controversy erupted when Musk made a gesture at an event that many online users compared to a Nazi salute. The fallout from her comments led to her sudden dismissal from the local TV station.
The incident unfolded just a day after the meteorologist, Sam Kuffel, called out Musk online. Musk, who now heads the Department of Government Efficiency, had made the gesture during an event at Capital One Arena following Donald Trump’s inauguration as the 47th President of the United States. His movement—thumping his chest and raising his arm—sparked a wave of reactions, with some likening it to a controversial historical salute.
CBS58’s news director, Jessie Garcia, confirmed Kuffel’s departure in an internal memo, stating that she was no longer employed at the station. The network has since begun searching for a replacement.
On Tuesday, Kuffel took to Instagram to voice her disapproval of Musk’s actions. She shared a photo and captioned it, “Dude Nazi saluted twice. TWO TIMES. At the inauguration.” She followed it up with a strongly worded post, making it clear she wanted nothing to do with anyone who supported Musk.
In another post, Kuffel reinforced her stance using a GIF from the show It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, adding a blunt remark against Musk. Conservative radio host Dan O’Donnell later criticized her, calling her social media posts “vulgar” and accusing her of spreading misinformation about Musk’s gesture.
Kuffel had been with CBS58 for more than five years and previously worked at WAOW-TV in Wausau after graduating from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee in 2016.
Amid the controversy, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), an organization dedicated to combating antisemitism, stepped in to defend Musk. The ADL released a statement acknowledging that the situation was sensitive, noting that political tensions and social media outrage often escalate misunderstandings. They clarified that Musk’s gesture appeared to be an awkward movement rather than a Nazi salute, urging people to show restraint and avoid jumping to conclusions.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also expressed his support for Musk, stating that the billionaire was being unfairly attacked.
As the debate continues, the incident has reignited discussions about media personalities expressing political opinions on social platforms and the consequences that can follow.
