Washington Post Fires Columnist Karen Attiah Over Social Media Posts

Karen Attiah, a prominent columnist for the Washington Post, announced on March 11, 2024, that she was terminated from her position due to her social media posts regarding the assassination of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk. Attiah, who was the last remaining full-time Black opinion writer at the newspaper, described her dismissal as a result of “unacceptable” commentary, drawing attention to the broader implications of political discourse in the United States.

The Washington Post has not provided a public comment regarding Attiah’s termination. This event follows the recent dismissal of political analyst Matthew Dowd from MSNBC after he referred to Kirk as a “divisive” figure and criticized the hate speech associated with him shortly after his death. The backlash against critics of Kirk has resulted in several individuals being fired or suspended from their positions in various organizations across the media landscape.

In a post on Substack, Attiah expressed her commitment to using her platform to advocate for freedom and challenge prevailing power structures. She noted, “Now, I am the one being silenced – for doing my job.” Attiah gained prominence as the founding Global Opinions editor of the Post, especially following the murder of her colleague, Jamal Khashoggi.

Following Kirk’s death, Attiah took to social media to articulate her concerns about political violence in America. She stated that her most widely shared commentary was not focused on Kirk but rather highlighted a pattern of violence, referencing the political assassinations of Minnesota lawmaker Melissa Hortman and her family. Attiah emphasized that her statements were based on documented patterns of gun violence and societal indifference, asserting that her comments were neither new nor misleading.

In her posts, Attiah included a direct quote from Kirk, who had made derogatory remarks about prominent Black women, suggesting they lacked the intellectual capacity to be taken seriously. She remarked that her reflections received thoughtful engagement and support, yet the Washington Post labeled her social media activity as “unacceptable” and “gross misconduct.” Attiah rejected these accusations, stating that they were unfounded and lacked evidence.

Her dismissal comes in the wake of a shift in the Washington Post’s opinion section under newly appointed editor Adam O’Neal, during which several veteran columnists have opted for voluntary buyouts. Despite a challenging meeting with O’Neal, Attiah chose to remain with the newspaper, only to face termination weeks later.

Attiah’s situation highlights the complexities of navigating political discourse within the media, particularly in an environment where social media engagement can lead to significant professional consequences. As discussions around freedom of expression in journalism continue, her case raises questions about the boundaries of commentary and the pressures faced by opinion writers today.