#KitchenAid Tweets Joke About Obama s Dead Grandma UPDATED

By Brian Anthony Hernandez 2012-10-04 10:30:56 +0800

An insensitive tweet poking fun at President Barack Obama's late grandmother — posted on KitchenAid's official U.S. account — caught the eye of many Twitter users Wednesday night during the presidential debate.

"Obamas gma even knew it was going 2 b bad! 'She died 3 days b4 he became president'. #nbcpolitics," @KitchenAidUSA posted to 24,000 followers before quickly deleting the tweet.

Obama had mentioned his grandmother, Madelyn Lee Payne Dunham, during the debate. She died Nov. 2, 2008, just before Obama was elected president.

KitchenAid immediately issued this apology:

Deepest apologies for an irresponsible tweet that is in no way a representation of the brand's opinion. #nbcpolitics

— KitchenAid (@KitchenAidUSA) October 4, 2012

UPDATE: KitchenAid's Cynthia Soledad told Mashable in an email: "During the debate tonight, a member of our Twitter team mistakenly posted an offensive tweet from the KitchenAid handle instead of a personal handle. The tasteless joke in no way represents our values at KitchenAid, and that person won't be tweeting for us anymore. That said, I lead the KitchenAid brand, and I take responsibility for the whole team. I am deeply sorry to President Obama, his family, and the Twitter community for this careless error. Thanks for hearing me out."

The KitchenAid Twitter account also apologized to Obama in a tweet:

I would like to personally apologize to President @barackobama. his family and everyone on Twitter for the offensive tweet sent earlier.

— KitchenAid (@KitchenAidUSA) October 4, 2012

Some people peg this as a lesson for social media managers, while some reactions benefit KitchenAid's rivals Breville and Cuisinart. Other people respected KitchenAid's apologetic response.

Someone's getting fired. RT @kitchenaidusa Obamas gma even knew it was going 2 b bad! 'She died 3 days b4 he became president'. #nbcpolitics

— Matt Binder (@MattBinder) October 4, 2012

Never, ever, mix brand with personal. @kitchenaid is learning the hard way during their last tweet. #Debates

— Kate-Madonna Hindes (@girlmeetsgeek) October 4, 2012

I love how people are going 4 @kitchenaidusa 's throats. Now watch as the Breville sales increase.

— AshLemonade (@Ashlemonade) October 4, 2012

Breaking News: Cuisinart announces they believe President Obama's grandmother was a wonderful woman who loved her grandson very much.

— James Burge Jr (@jamesburgejr) October 4, 2012

@kitchenaidusa @bahjournalist seriously. My Grandma just trashed her Mixer. who by the way is fighting breast cancer and JUST got it :/

— *• TaLuLa •*(@TaLuLaTart) October 4, 2012

@kitchenaidusa Cynthia, you have done the right thing in quickly assuming responsibility, apologizing, and taking corrective action. Kudos.

— Bren Buras-Elsen (@brenisphere) October 4, 2012

@kitchenaidusa Clearly this was a personal tweet sent accidentally by someone from your team. You have a reputable brand mistakes happen.

— MimiBakerMN (@MimiBakerMN) October 4, 2012

What are your thoughts on the incident and how KitchenAid handled it?

Image courtesy of TheJournalizer and thumbnail courtesy of Flickr, trec_lit

Ashley Payne, Teacher

Ashley Payne, a teacher in Barrow County, Georgia, was asked to resign from her job at Apalachee High School in August 2009 because of photographs and status updates she posted to Facebook.

The problem with Payne's updates? They showed her drinking alcohol and one update used an expletive. Payne was on vacation in Europe and some of her photographs included her visits to the Guinness Brewery and a local pub in Dublin.

Payne's Facebook page was private, however she had friended some other teachers in her school. When the principal found out about the photos, she was told to render her resignation or face suspension.

Payne sued the school district in November 2009 because she was "not made aware of her rights."

Christopher Lee, Congressman