KitchenAid apologizes for "irresponsible tweet" during presidential debate
KitchenAid, the iconic home appliance brand, issued an apology soon after a staffer posted an offensive tweet from the company's official account.
"Obamas gma even knew it was going 2 b bad! 'She died 3 days b4 he became president," @KitchenAidUSA tweeted to over 25,000 followers Wednesday night.
The tweet presumably referenced President Obama's grandmother, Madelyn Dunham, who died on Nov. 2, 2008.
The President referred to his grandmother during the debate, saying: "You know, my grandmother - some of you know - helped to raise me. My grandparents did. My grandfather died a while back. My grandmother died three days before I was elected president."
KitchenAid quickly deleted the tweet. The company's senior director of branding Cynthia Soledad took responsibility for the offensive message and tweeted an apology to the President, followed by an explanation.
"Deepest apologies for an irresponsible tweet that is in no way a representation of the brand's opinion," @KitchenAidUSA tweeted.
"I would like to personally apologize to President @BarackObama, his family and everyone on Twitter for the offensive tweet sent earlier," @KitchenAidUSA continued.
"It was carelessly sent in error by a member of our Twitter team who, needless to say, won't be tweeting for us anymore," @KitchenAidUSA tweeted.
Soledad released this statement to Mashable via 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."
There are no additional details on what happened to the staffer.
