An intended joke in response to Friday's inauguration by Saturday Night Live writer Katie Rich has received an onslaught of backlash from both sides of the political spectrum so severe, she's now been suspended from her job.
As The Washington Post reports, despite thousands of people taking to Twitter on Friday to post their own jokes about the inauguration, Rich's tweet was largely criticized because it did not take aim at President Donald Trump or the event itself, but instead at Trump's 10-year-old son, Barron. On Friday afternoon, the SNL writer wrote in a now-deleted tweet, "Barron will be this country's first homeschool shooter"—which was quick to go viral due to many expressing their outrage that she'd attack the president's children, who are normally considered off limits. The backlash was so severe that Rich eventually deleted her account after receiving countless threats, before returning to issue a heartfelt apology on Monday.
"I sincerely apologize for the insensitive tweet," she wrote. "I deeply regret my actions and offensive words. It was inexcusable and I'm so sorry."
I sincerely apologize for the insensitive tweet. I deeply regret my actions & offensive words. It was inexcusable & I'm so sorry.January 23, 2017
Sources close to the matter claim that Rich has been suspended indefinitely from SNL as a result of the tweet; but despite her apology, a Change.org petition calling for her to be fired has amassed over 100,000 signatures as of Monday night. Even Chelsea Clinton, a former First Daughter herself, weighed in on the matter, tweeting, "Barron Trump deserves the chance every child does—to be a kid."
Barron Trump deserves the chance every child does-to be a kid. Standing up for every kid also means opposing @POTUS policies that hurt kids.January 22, 2017
However, not everyone believes Rich should lose her job over the tweet, and many rallied in support of the writer on Twitter Monday night using the hashtag #KeepKatieRich. In particular, many pointed out the fact that people were holding Rich to higher moral standards than the president, before reiterating that she had offered a sincere apology for her actions.
Sincerely confused how the moral rubric for a comedian is stricter than for the president #keepkatierichJanuary 23, 2017
You can't make a joke about a child and write for SNL, but you can talk about sexually assaulting women and be the President. #keepkatierichJanuary 23, 2017
But can we talk about how conservatives are mad about a school shooting JOKE but do NOTHING to prevent school shootings? #keepkatierichJanuary 24, 2017
A comedy writer getting suspended for a relatively benign tweet followed by a perfect apology is a canary in the coal mine #keepkatierichJanuary 23, 2017
Can #keepkatierich claim she Tweeted #alternatefacts or does that only work for the president?January 24, 2017
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Gina Mei is a writer and editor based out of Los Angeles. When she isn't writing, reading, and lost in an Internet vortex, she can usually be found petting the nearest dog.
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