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Elizabeth Lauten, a House Republican staffer who created a tremendous social media backlash after she criticized Malia and Sasha Obama in a Facebook post, resigned from her job Monday morning, according to ABC News.
Lauten, the communications director for Rep. Stephen Fincher (R-TN), wrote a Facebook post criticizing the first daughters' dress and demeanor at the White House 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. "Dress like you deserve respect, not a spot at a bar. And certainly don't make faces during televised, public events."
The post was soon noticed by Yesha Callahan, a writer for The Root, who tweeted a screencap of it:
In her spare time when @DCGopGirl is not doing work for @RepFincherTN08 she shames teenagers on Facebook pic.twitter.com/jgeuxJqlYW
— Yesha (@YeshaCallahan) November 28, 2014
A social media firestorm ensued, and the coverage of it soon spilled into mainstream media outlets like the Washington Post and cable news. Lauten posted again to apologize, saying she realized her words were "hurtful," but that apparently wasn't enough to save her job.
Lauten's planned resignation is the latest testament to the power of social media activism. The staffer was basically anonymous outside DC just days ago. But after one ill-considered Facebook post, her name, her image, and her employer's name were everywhere.
