GettySaturday Night Live writer Katie Rich has been indefinitely suspended from the show after mocking Donald Trump’s 10-year-old son Barron.
Taking to Twitter during Friday’s inauguration, Rich wrote: “Barron will be this country’s first homeschool shooter,” when a series of memes were circulating about the boy.
Facing an avalanche of criticism, the tweet was left up for about three hours before being deleted and her Twitter account made private.
But critics were still calling for an apology or dismissal:
#BoycottNBC #BoycottSNL until Katie Rich is fired for her vicious attack on 10 year old Barron Trump! Time for #SNL to take responsibility
— Penney (@ppc59) January 22, 2017
I heard Katie Rich has been fired…but not seeing any news on this but let's hope @nbcsnl does the right thing. Kids are off limits period
— Charles V Payne (@cvpayne) January 23, 2017
RETWEET if you agree that Katie Rich should have been fired instead of suspended for saying Barron would be the "first home-school shooter." pic.twitter.com/iAgCgLhsfp
— Ben Owen, HRK ?? (@hrkbenowen) January 24, 2017
The New York Times reports that Rich was suspended immediately after she posted the tweet about Barron.
Rich, who has written for SNL since 2013, returned to Twitter with an apology on Monday.
She wrote:
I sincerely apologize for the insensitive tweet. I deeply regret my actions & offensive words. It was inexcusable & I’m so sorry.
I sincerely apologize for the insensitive tweet. I deeply regret my actions & offensive words. It was inexcusable & I'm so sorry.
— Katie Rich (@katiemaryrich) January 23, 2017
But while Rich no doubt received a firestorm of criticism – even after her apology – some supporters were quick to point out the irony in Rich’s joke, and consequential dismissal:
Katie Rich of "SNL" has been suspended after tweet mocking Barron Trump. If she had mocked a disabled reporter then she would be President.
— Michael Blackman (@MBlackman37) January 23, 2017
writing what she wants on twitter? who does katie rich think she is, a president?!
— broti gupta (@BrotiGupta) January 24, 2017
Katie Rich made an insensitive joke & apologized…suspended from SNL
Trump suggested shooting Hillary…is now POTUS
— Jonathan DeBona (@JonDeBona) January 24, 2017
Rich wasn’t the only one to draw backlash for mocking the president’s 10-year-old son.
Modern Family star Julie Bowen also felt the wrath of Twitter for her comments about Barron during his father’s inauguration.
Both incidents were enough to prompt Chelsea Clinton and Monica Lewinsky to voice their support for the president’s youngest son. Reminding social media users the 10-year-old ‘deserves the chance every child does – to be a kid’.
Barron Trump deserves the chance every child does-to be a kid. Standing up for every kid also means opposing @POTUS policies that hurt kids.
— Chelsea Clinton (@ChelseaClinton) January 22, 2017
all children need to be protected from bullying + mockery. (incl #barrontrump). let's be better than this. https://t.co/CH3IfdpQpu
— Monica Lewinsky (@MonicaLewinsky) January 23, 2017
Don’t aim potentially offensive jokes at kids if you’re a grown adult.
It really is that simple.
