The New York Post fired sports reporter Bart Hubbuch for his tweet that compared Donald Trump’s inauguration to Pearl Harbor Day and Sept. 11.
A New York Post spokesperson told the Philadelphia Inquirer, “We expect our reporters to interact with the public, including on social media, in a professional manner. Unfortunately, Mr. Hubbuch has engaged in a pattern of unprofessional conduct and exhibited serious lack of judgment, including most recently showing disrespect for the victims of Pearl Harbor and 9/11.” iMediaEthics has contacted the Post for more information.
Hubbuch’s Jan. 20 tweet simply read “12/7/41. 9/11/01. 1/20/17.” He has since deleted it but San Diego Union-Tribune‘s Luis Gomez posted a screenshot.
In a Jan. 30 tweet, Bart Hubbuch announced his firing, writing, “Last Friday, I was fired by the New York Post for tweeting on my own time seven days earlier my personal belief that Donald Trump becoming President of the United State [sic] is a national tragedy.” When reached by iMediaEthics, Hubbuch declined to comment further.
USA Today noted that Hubbuch had tweeted apologies for the tweet but then deleted them. One such apology read: “I have deeply held beliefs and feelings, and I let emotion get the best of me today. Again, my apologies to anyone I offended.”
Hubboch told the Philadelphia Inquirer his tweet was “insensitive and wrong.” The Inquirer noted that Hubbuch stirred the pot last year when he tweeted that it was a “totally not-shocking fact” that the New England Patriots “have never had a black QB start a game.”
Hat Tip: San Diego Union Tribune