Kansas City fired an employee over a tweet about Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker after his commencement speech went viral earlier this month.
After the NFL player’s commencement address advocating for women to become homemakers went viral on social media, a former employee reportedly tweeted, “Just a reminder that Harrison Butker lives in the City of Lee’s Summit,” on May 15.
On Thursday, May 23, during an appearance on local radio station 95.7FM, Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas discussed the decision to terminate the employee.
“The city has separated from the employee responsible for the message,” Lucas said in a clip posted to X. “I think that to me, in many ways, resolves the back and forth that’s in the political world. I think there has been accountability from the City of Kansas City. We all look forward to moving on [and] let the Chiefs play.”
The initial tweet was deleted and replaced with an apology. However, the mayor had previously responded to an X user who questioned the reason for its removal.
“It was not an appropriate post for the City of Kansas City. It should not have ever been up,” Lucas replied.
The initial tweet also caused Attorney General Andrew Bailey to push back. “My office is demanding accountability after @KansasCity doxxed @buttkicker7 last night for daring to express his religious beliefs,” Bailey wrote on X. “I will enforce the Missouri Human Rights Act to ensure Missourians are not targeted for their free exercise of religion.”
Harrison Butker’s Commencement Speech Sparks Heated Debate Online
Butker’s commencement speech at Benedictine College earlier this month sparked outrage on social media. This is due to when he specifically addressed the women graduating from the Catholic liberal arts institution. During the speech, an emotional Butker warned the young ladies in the audience about pursuing careers outside the home. “it is you, the women, who have had the most diabolical lies told to you,” he warned.
“How many of you are thinking about all the promotions and titles you are going to get?” he asked. “Some of you may go on to lead successful careers in the world. [However], 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.”
As he cried in front of the assembled graduates, he continued, highlighting the support of his wife, Isabelle. “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 of a girl I met in band class back in middle school. [She] would convert to the faith and become my wife and embrace one of the most important titles of all — homemaker.”