KitchenAid apologizes for tweet insulting Obama
(CNN) - The home appliance brand KitchenAid apologized Wednesday evening for a political tweet sent out from its official account during the presidential debate.
The tweet has been removed but at least a dozen retweets of the post showed it read, "Obamas gma even knew it was going 2 b bad! 'She died 3 days b4 he became president.'"
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The company apologized in a later post from the same account.
"Deepest apologies for an irresponsible tweet that is in no way a representation of the brand's opinion," the tweet read in part.
The original post would have been in reference to a comment President Barack Obama made during the debate as he spoke about the importance of programs such as Medicare and Social Security.
"You know, my grandmother - some of you know - helped to raise me," Obama said. My grandfather died a while back. My grandmother died three days before I was elected president. And she was fiercely independent. She worked her way up, only had a high school education, started as a secretary, ended up being the vice president of a local bank. And she ended up living alone by choice."
"And the reason she could be independent was because of Social Security and Medicare," he continued.
Cynthia Soledad, KitchenAid's senior director of marketing, said in a statement to CNN: "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."
"I am deeply sorry to President Obama, his family, and the Twitter community for this careless error," Soledad said.
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Wow, how did that happen??
I will never buy another Kitchen Aid product.
we all should learn to love one another.
Thats too Funny!! I will have to buy a bunch of Kitchen Aid products tomorrow!! Go R and R
Some people are just ignorant!
that's good. otherwise women have to live in abusive situations and that's wrong. maybe someone at kitchenaid doesn't like that.
There is no excuse for such a mistake. If it's such an easy mistake to post from the wrong account then strong safeguards should be in place. They were not.
@presentationadvisors writes in part ".......boycotting KitchenAid is taking things Wayyyy too far." REALLY! I think not. When an organization or business hires anyone capable of this kind of disgusting behavior (and I have no doubt that the powers that be at KA were aware that these people were all about this kind of behavior), then they must take responsibility for the consequences. Publicly naming and firing this social media company and naming the specific person who sent this tweet would do it for me, however. No doubt the whole group is republican and this is typical of these high faluting animals.
You just lost a customer forever...
I'm not going to be so shallow as to hold a major job creator and corporation accountable for the callousness of one immature individual, suffice to say though, I am HOWEVER inclined to believe the responcible party/ies should be made to wear head to toe Hello Kitty Outfits for the duration of the ellection Cycle!!!
Guess I'll pass on getting that new KitchenAid mixer.
Unbelievable statement....will not buy another kitchen Aid item....fire that jerk...
If you are going to say something this awful at least put your name to it
Although I feel this was a mistake I will definitely be buying more Kitchen Aid products as long as they are made in the USA. Obama is a loser and anyone that calls for a boycott is completely against our constitution therefore they are not a true American.
a very irresponsibly faux par, i guess i won't be using their appliances again, how much did Romney's backer's pay for the tweet? Bet their board is people by romney backers, nov:6 will put paid to all the romney lies.
Boycott Kitchenaid!!! Boycott!!!
Not buying anymore Kitchenaid products. Keep your apologies Whirlpool (Kitchenaid).
I respected Kitchen Aid my whole life.. I own their most expensive products they sell. I was tired of having to pay lots of money for their attachments, but tomorrow I am dumping all of it at the county dump! Whether it was an intermediary that published such horrible thing, it is ultimately the company that is liable for such a heartless comment. May Kitchen Aid die!!
presentationadvisors
Let's pump the brakes here. Rod pretty much hit the nail in the head, though I'm not sure it's been confirmed that Kitchen Aid is using a social media agency or not. Regardless, it's obviously a mistake due to people managing multiple brands on a social dashboard
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While it is possible – but not known – if they use a 3rd party, what is forgotten is that KA is vicariously liable for anything that agent puts out. KA still bears responsibility, its still in their name.
im confused as to how his gma living "indepently" was based off of her receiving medicare and social security? this is dependence, for those such as Mr. Obama, who obviously don't know the difference.
I think I'll get that put on a T shirt! Ha!
I will NEVER buy a KitchenAid appliance again. That was a horrible insulting degrading comment – no matter which party you favor. It was a very insensitive insult.
What is wrong with america ????? Ppl r full of hate . They say what ever they want to say and later sorry . What is the difference b/n those kind of ppl and the taliban ?????????
And the point is kitchen makes great products!
Always have bought kitchen aid. Will continue to do so.