A Republican communications director reportedly resigned today following a weekend of criticism after she called out the first daughters, Sasha and Malia Obama, for their facial expressions and appearance during the presidential pardoning of the turkey.
Every year, Sasha, 13, and Malia, 16, join President Barack Obama for the pardoning ceremony, but this year they didn’t appear to be very enthusiastic. Malia even declined her father’s offer to pet the turkey.
Noting their apparent disinterest, Elizabeth Lauten, who works for Rep. Stephen Fincher (R-Tenn.), went so far as to post a letter on her Facebook page that directly addressed and criticized Sasha and Malia.
“Try showing a little class,” she wrote. “Act like being in the White House matters to you.”
Lauten disapproved of their dress and facial expressions, and took it upon herself to advise the first daughters on how they should appear.
“Dress like you deserve respect, not a spot at a bar,” she wrote. “Don’t make faces during televised public events.”
Lauten’s comments to the girls also inferred that their parents, President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama, weren’t setting a good example for them and lacked respect for the country they serve.
“Your mother and father don’t respect their positions very much, or the nation for that matter,” Lauten wrote. “I’m guessing you’re coming up a little short in the ‘good role model’ department.”
After receiving a ton of backlash, Lauten set her profile to private and deleted the post, according to The Washington Times. She then apologized for her comments. The responses on social media accused Lauten of cyber bullying and some called for her to be fired. #FireElizabethLauten went viral on Twitter.
“When I first posted on Facebook I reacted to an article and I quickly judged the two young ladies in a way that I would never have wanted to be judged myself as a teenager,” she wrote in a later post. “After many hours of prayer, talking to my parents, and re-reading my words online I can see more clearly just how hurtful my words were.”
Lauten told NBC News via phone Monday that her departure is already “in the works,” NBC reported today.
