Milwaukee Meteorologist Fired After Criticizing Elon Musk’s Gesture

MILWAUKEE, Wis. — A Milwaukee TV meteorologist was fired Wednesday, one day after she criticized Elon Musk on social media for a gesture some likened to a Nazi salute during a presidential inauguration event.

Sam Kuffel, a meteorologist at WDJT-TV (Channel 58), was let go after posting on Instagram about Musk’s straight-arm gesture during a speech at a President Donald Trump inauguration event on Monday. Kuffel’s departure was confirmed in an email to staff from news director Jessie Garcia, which stated, “Meteorologist Sam Kuffel is no longer employed at CBS58. A search for a replacement is underway.”

Kuffel, 31, had been with the station for more than five years. Her biography and photo were removed from the station’s website by Wednesday afternoon. A spokeswoman for Weigel Broadcasting Co., which owns WDJT-TV, confirmed Kuffel’s departure but declined further comment, citing personnel matters.

On Tuesday, Kuffel posted two Instagram comments about Musk’s gesture. In one, she wrote, “Dude Nazi saluted twice. TWICE. During the inauguration.” She followed up with a GIF from “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” and the caption, “Screw that old (expletive). He’s a Nazi.” By late Tuesday, Kuffel had made her Instagram account private.

Conservative radio host Dan O'Donnell criticized Kuffel’s posts, calling them “vulgar” and accusing her of spreading misinformation. The Anti-Defamation League, a Jewish civil rights organization, described Musk’s gesture as “awkward” and urged caution in interpreting its meaning.

Kuffel, a University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee graduate, previously worked at WAOW-TV in Wausau before joining WDJT-TV. She was also a regular contributor to sports radio station WRNW-FM (97.3).

On Tuesday, Kuffel had also commented on the broader issue of layoffs among local meteorologists, writing on X, “Local meteorologists are essential to local news. Communities will suffer during major, local weather events because of this decision.”

Musk, the CEO of Tesla and the world’s richest man, has not directly addressed the controversy but has made light of the criticism in subsequent social media posts. The gesture, which occurred during a speech at a Trump inauguration event, has sparked widespread debate about its intent and implications.