A self-described contributor to multiple news outlets, including CBS and Yahoo!, posted an unconscionable “joke” about the terrorist attack at an Ariana Grande concert that killed 22 people.
David Leavitt, after addressing the fact that there had been “multiple confirmed fatalities” in Manchester, saw fit to crack wise, tweeting, “The last time I listened to Ariana Grande I almost died too.”
Via the Daily Caller:
Will this presidential election be the most important in American history?
A Boston-based freelance writer disgustingly used the Manchester terrorist attack to make jokes about Ariana Grande’s music and name.
[…]
Leavitt tweeted another tasteless joke shortly after, writing, “Honestly, for over a year I thought an Ariana Grande was something you ordered at Starbucks.”
Leavitt has since deleted the original tweet “since so many people asked,” but not before spending hours issuing snarky statements to those who took offense.
I saw your face #AndThenIStartedToLaugh pic.twitter.com/BIabpJW39X
— David Leavitt 🎲🎮🧙♂️🌈 (@David_Leavitt) May 23, 2017
Imagine if everyone who cursed at me donated a nickel to charity? https://t.co/28rFFSVx7y
— David Leavitt 🎲🎮🧙♂️🌈 (@David_Leavitt) May 23, 2017
Better yet, imagine if every journalist who thought it appropriate to make light of dead children in the wake of a terrorist attack donated his salary to charity.
I’ve delete the tweet since so many people asked
— David Leavitt (@David_Leavitt) May 23, 2017
How about deleting the tweet because you recognize it was vile and disgusting and that you’re clearly not a good person?
At no point did Leavitt acknowledge that he made a mistake. He followed up his original tweet with a sarcastic “Too soon?”
Eventually, hours after committing his initial outrage Leavitt came out with something intended as an apology:
Sorry 4 offending. Didn’t realize the magnitude of the tragedy. I always make stupid jokes about whatevers trending. Condolences 2 families
— David Leavitt (@David_Leavitt) May 23, 2017
But even that’s hard to swallow in light of his original message which noted “multiple confirmed fatalities.” Something tells me he still finds amusement in the deaths of innocent children.
Cross-posted at the Mental Recession