STREAM EXCLUSIVE ORIGINALS

Capitol Hill Staffer Resigns After Slamming Malia and Sasha Obama

Elizabeth Lauten's Facebook posting cost her her job.

As most users of social media have observed and hopefully learned, posting before you think can land you in trouble. And in some instances, it can also cost you your job. The latest example is Elizabeth Lauten, now former communications director for Rep. Stephen Fincher (R-Tennessee), who wrote a letter on Facebook last week to Malia and Sasha Obama about their attitudes and attire during the traditional White House ceremonial Thanksgiving turkey pardon.

“Dear Sasha and Malia, I get you’re both in those awful teen years, but you’re a part of the First Family, try showing a little class,” Lauten wrote. “At least respect the part you play. Then again your mother and father don’t respect their positions very much or the nation for that matter, so I’m guessing you’re coming up a little short in the ‘good role model’ department.”

Teens will be teens, and it was clear that the girls would rather have been doing many things other than listening to their father make corny turkey jokes. But Lauten forgot a golden rule: criticizing a president's children is a huge no-no.

She also disparaged their outfits, which she suggested were more appropriate for hanging out at a bar. She soon regretted her comments after they went viral and turned to Facebook again on Saturday to apologize.

Lauten said, "I quickly judged the two young ladies in a way that I would never have wanted to be judged myself as a teenager," and added, "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."

Follow Joyce Jones on Twitter: @BETpolitichick.

Watch Kevin Hart in a new episode of Real Husbands of Hollywood every Tuesday, 10P/9C.

BET Politics - Your source for the latest news, photos and videos illuminating key issues and personalities in African-American political life, plus commentary from some of our liveliest voices. Click here to subscribe to our newsletter.

(Photo: Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

Latest News

Subscribe for BET Updates

Provide your email address to receive our newsletter.


By clicking Subscribe, you confirm that you have read and agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge our Privacy Policy. You also agree to receive marketing communications, updates, special offers (including partner offers) and other information from BET and the Paramount family of companies. You understand that you can unsubscribe at any time.