Kansas City Terminates Employee Following Controversial Harrison Butker Tweet

Kansas City Fires Social Media Team Member Over Harrison Butker Tweet

Harrison Butker. Luke Hales/Getty Images

The City of Kansas City recently made headlines for firing an employee who posted a tweet about Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker. The tweet sparked controversy after Butker's commencement speech went viral earlier this month.

Mayor Quinton Lucas addressed the decision to terminate the employee during an interview on local radio station 95.7FM on Thursday, May 23. The employee, who was not named, tweeted on May 15, "Just a reminder that Harrison Butker lives in the City of Lee’s Summit," following Butker's speech that stirred discussions about women's roles as homemakers on social media.

Lucas, 39, shared in a recorded message on X that the city has parted ways with the employee responsible for the message. He expressed that this resolution brings an end to the political back and forth, highlighting the accountability shown by the City of Kansas City. Lucas also mentioned the importance of moving forward and allowing the Chiefs to focus on playing.

Although the original tweet has been removed and replaced with an apology, the mayor had responded to a user on X questioning the deletion of the tweet.

"It wasn't a suitable post for Kansas City. It shouldn't have been up," he responded.

The original tweet also got noticed by Attorney General Andrew Bailey, who posted on May 16, "I am calling for accountability after @KansasCity exposed @buttkicker7 for sharing his religious beliefs. I will uphold the Missouri Human Rights Act to protect Missourians from being targeted for their religious practices."

Kansas City Fires Social Media Team Member Over Harrison Butker Tweet

Harrison Butker. Lauren Leigh Bacho/Getty Images

It is uncertain if Bailey will take any action against the employee currently.

Butker's commencement speech at Benedictine College last month caused a stir on social media. He received backlash for singling out the female graduates, claiming that they have been fed the most deceitful lies.

"How many of you are sitting here now, about to cross this stage, and are thinking about all the promotions and titles you are going to get in your career? Some of you may go on to lead successful careers in the world but I would venture to guess that the majority of you are most excited about your marriage and the children you will bring into this world," he said.

Mentioning his wife Isabelle Butker, the three-time Super Bowl champ added, "I’m beyond blessed with the many talents God has given me but it cannot be overstated that all of my success is made possible because a girl I met in band class back in middle school would convert to the faith and become my wife and embrace one of the most important titles of all — homemaker."

Celebrities from various industries had strong reactions to Butker's speech, just like many social media users. Rapper Flavor Flav expressed his thoughts through X, stating that it seems like some players should stick to their own lanes and not be giving commencement speeches.

Country star Maren Morris joined the trend of choosing between encountering a bear or a man alone in the woods by stating, “I choose the bear.”

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes stood up for his teammate Butker during a press conference on Wednesday, May 22, addressing his comments.

"I've known him for seven years. I judge him by the character he shows every single day, and that's a good person," Mahomes, 28, shared. "That's someone who cares about the people around him, cares about his family, and wants to make a positive impact in society."

Head coach Andy Reid chimed in, "I didn't talk to him about [the speech]. We're a diverse group here, coming from different areas, religions, and races, but we all respect each other's opinions. Everyone has a voice, and that's the beauty of America."

Editor's P/S:

The article highlights a controversial incident involving a Kansas City employee being fired after tweeting about Harrison Butker's commencement speech. Butker's speech on women's roles as homemakers sparked widespread debate on social media. While some celebrities and social media users criticized his remarks as outdated, others, like Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid, defended his right to express his beliefs. The city's decision to terminate the employee responsible for the tweet raises questions about the limits of free speech and accountability in public discourse.

It's important to consider the context of Butker's speech, which was delivered at a private religious college. While his views on gender roles may not be universally shared, they reflect the values of the community he was addressing. It's also worth noting that the employee who tweeted about Butker's residence has since apologized for the post, acknowledging that it was inappropriate for a city employee to make such comments. The city's response, which included ending the employee's employment, sends a clear message that public officials are expected to maintain a certain level of professionalism and avoid making statements that could be perceived as biased or discriminatory.