Famous People Fired Because of Twitter Posts

With over 300 million users on Twitter and about 140 million tweets sent every day, the rich and powerful should know that “what happens on Twitter doesn’t stay on Twitter.” Several powerful people lost their jobs because of Tweets that they couldn’t take back. Trolling on Twitter catches even the powerful in the act. If it’s on the internet, it’s not a secret, no matter what the privacy statement says.

Here are a several powerful people who lost their jobs because of out-of-line tweets they couldn’t take back. Even powerful people don’t seem to know which side their bread is buttered.

Jofi Joseph, a White House National Security Staff official has been posting on Twitter for over two years under the false username, @natsecwonk. Caught red-handed with a fake Twitter name, Joseph lost his job with national security. In his tweets, he leaked information about the Obama  administration and and tweeted insults about government and state officials. Here are a few of his infamous tweets before his account was shut down:

“So when will someone do us the favor of getting rid of Sarah Palin and the rest of her white trash family? What utter useless garbage .... ”

 “Was Huma Abedin wearing beer goggles the night she met Anthony Wiener? Almost as bad a pairing as Samantha Powers and Cass Sunstein ....,” 

Richie Incognito, an NFL lineman lost his position with the Miami Dolphins for racial slurs made on his Twitter feed about his teammate Jonathan Martin. Later, Incognito offered an apology on Twitter but it was “too little too late,” saying “I would like to send Jonathan my apologies as well. Until someone tells me different You are still my brother. Not hard feelings :)”

Roland Martin, CNN commentator,  was suspended from his job when he tweeted homophobic comments during the 2012 Super Bowl. Even his apology couldn’t save him, “I’m disheartened that my words would embolden prejudice.” The reason CNN gave for Martin’s suspension was that “Roland Martin’s tweets were regrettable and offensive.” His job contract was not renewed. 

Roland Martin (Right)

Mike Bacsik, radio host and former MLB pitcher tweeted racist comments on Twitter after the NBA playoff game between the Dallas Mavericks and San Antonio Spurs game. Feeling frustrated when his favorite team suffered a setback with the ejection of Manu Ginobili, vented on Twitter with foul language and racist comments saying, “Congrats to all the dirty Mexicans in San Antonio.” His Twitter apology didn’t help any, "I'm sorry for my horribly insensitive tweet last night about the Hispanic comm. in San Antonio. I apologize and I hope u can forgive me."

Gilbert Gottfried, the famous comedian and Aflac duck “quacker” found himself out of a job after joking on Twitter about the Japanese tsunami disaster, "Japan is really advanced. They don't go to the beach. The beach comes to them," His quacking days are over after his 12 outrageous and insensitive jokes about the disaster that left over 3,000 people dead.

Nicole Crowther, an actress on the TV series, Glee, got the boot when she posted on Twitter spoilers about upcoming episodes of Glee. It seems only fitting that the show’s producer, Brad Falchuk actually fired Crowther on Twitter,” Hope you're qualified to do something besides work in entertainment."

Catherine Deveny, an Australian newpaper journalist for The Age, posted scathing comments about celebrities during an awards show. One of the most offensive tweets that left Deveny in the unemployment line was when she posted that she wished Steve Irwin’s 11-year-old daughter got laid. Deveny also tweeted about another star, saying she hoped his second wife “didn’t die too.” The star’s first wife died of cancer.