A local television anchor in Mississippi says station management fired him after nearly four decades because of a social media post calling out supporters. Vice President Kamala Harris “stay home” if they intended to vote for her.
David “Dave” Elliott, a veteran news anchor at CBS and ABC affiliate WLOX-TV in Biloxi, recorded a video message that went viral on Channel X on Wednesday in which he condemned the “hatred” of former President Donald Trump like “disease”.
“If your hatred of Donald Trump is so strong … that you plan to go to the voting booth and vote for Kamala Harris … do yourself (and) do the country (and) do the world a favor and just wait it out,” Elliott said in the video, which is reported as had over 163,000 views on X as of Monday.
David “Dave” Elliott, a longtime news anchor at WLOX-TV in Biloxi, Miss., said he was fired Friday. Facebook/David Elliott WLOX TV Elliott posted the video on social media Wednesday. X / @theRealDElliot
“Stay home. Don’t vote,” Elliott urged Harris supporters in the clip. He ended his message by saying, “This was a public service announcement.”
Elliott told his Facebook followers on Friday that he had been fired.
“As of 10/25/24, I am no longer with WLOX,” Elliott wrote Friday morning. “The corporation doesn’t like my political views.”
Elliott said he was informed of his dismissal by Rick Williams, the station’s general manager. The Post has requested comment from WLOX-TV.
“We cannot comment on personnel matters,” Williams told The Post.
Elliott said he still planned to leave the station before he was fired from his job. Facebook/David Elliott WLOX TV
WLOX-TV, which can be seen on the Mississippi Gulf Coast on channel 13, is an affiliate of CBS and ABC. Its parent company is Gray Television.
“X was brought up in a conversation that only lasted about 30 seconds because I walked away,” Elliott. told the Sun Herald.
“I was like, ‘OK, see you.’
Elliott said he still plans to leave the station for another job.
“I was going to leave at the end of the year anyway,” he said.
Elliott on Wednesday called “hatred” of former President Donald Trump a “disease.” Trump can be seen at left with former First Lady Melania Trump. REUTERS
“I have irons on fire. Events will develop at the speed of light. Keep your eyes open.”
Elliott said he does not consider his social media posts to be a violation of journalism ethics, which requires him to maintain objectivity.
“I don’t consider social media journalism,” he said. “Social networks are a toy. I’m having fun. I’m playing. I look at it as satire.”
“I get paid to work on television.”