TV meterologolist, Sam Kuffel fired after calling Elon Musk’s inauguration gesture a Nazi salute

Sam Kuffel, a Milwaukee weather forecaster, was dismissed after calling Elon Musk’s gesture a "Nazi salute."

Sam Kuffel, a weather forecaster for CBS 58 Milwaukee, has been let go after her controversial Instagram post criticizing Elon Musk’s gesture at a recent inauguration ceremony. Kuffel claimed Musk “Nazi saluted twice” during the event, adding, “You f–k with this and this man, I don’t f–k with you. Full stop.” She also shared a gif from It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia referencing Nazis.

Photo: reddit

Kuffel’s post quickly sparked backlash, including criticism from conservative radio host Dan O’Donnell of 1030 WISN, who labeled the comments as “vulgar” and accused her of “spreading lies.” By Wednesday, CBS 58 confirmed that Kuffel was no longer employed with the station, removing her bio and photo from their website.

The gesture in question has been a topic of debate. The Anti-Defamation League referred to Musk’s movement as an “awkward gesture,” while some, like historian and Strongman author Ruth Ben-Ghiat, claimed it was clearly a “Nazi salute” and “belligerent.”

Historian of fascism here. That was a Nazi salute - and a very belligerent one too https://t.co/PB9sFCVJGA

— Ruth Ben-Ghiat (@ruthbenghiat) January 20, 2025

Kuffel’s Instagram account has since been set to private, but the incident continues to generate discussion online. Supporters argue that her termination reflects a larger trend of suppressing opinions, while critics see her actions as irresponsible and inflammatory.