A government staffer has talked herself out of a job after making controversial comments about Sasha and Malia Obama.
Elizabeth Lauten, who was the communications director for Republican Congressman Stephen Fincher, raised eyebrows this past weekend when a Facebook post that she wrote about the First Daughters went viral. Lauten wrote about President Obama‘s daughters’ appearance at his pardoning of the National Thanksgiving Turkey on Wednesday, Nov. 26.
While the critical post has since been deleted, screenshots of her words remain online.
“Dear Sasha and Malia,” the disgraced GOP staffer begins. “I get you’re both in those awful teen years, but you’re a part of the First Family, try showing a little class. 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.”
“Nevertheless, stretch yourself,” Lauten went on. “Rise to the occasion. Act like being in the White House matters to you. Dress like you deserve respect, not a spot at a bar. And certainly don’t make faces during televised, public events.”
The newly unemployed woman wrote of the more casual outfits that Malia, 16, and Sasha, 13, wore to the event. The young women were dressed in sweaters, worn over a dress in Sasha’s case and a skirt and tights in Malia’s case, paired with black booties. The sisters were captured looking less-than-interested at one point during their father’s presentation — a look Lauten found to be disrespectful “faces.”
She deleted the initial post, going on to write another message apologizing for her initial reaction, but the second note no longer appears on Lauten’s public Facebook page either.
Following the widespread backlash to her viral post, Lauten told NBC News on Monday, Dec. 1, that her resignation from Rep. Fincher’s team is “in the works.”