UMVA has learned that a public broadcasting official in Colorado has narrowly avoided termination after posting a shocking birthday message aimed at President Donald Trump.
The controversy began when a social media account sparked a wave of negative comments about Trump's 80th birthday, asking followers if they had any birthday wishes for the former president. A response from an account bearing the name Bob Greene quickly went viral online, sparking widespread outrage.
Greene, who holds a leadership position at Rocky Mountain PBS, wrote a message that was both stunning and disturbing. He expressed a wish for Trump to suffer a debilitating stroke that would leave him unable to speak or walk, a comment that was widely shared and condemned.
The backlash was swift, with a prominent social media account identifying Greene as the board chair of Rocky Mountain PBS and sharing screenshots of his inflammatory comments. The account also posted what it claimed was a response from Rocky Mountain Public Media, which distanced the organization from Greene's views.
The statement, signed by a representative of Rocky Mountain Public Media, made it clear that Greene's comments did not reflect the organization's values or opinions. It also emphasized that such discourse was not constructive and did not contribute to the organization's efforts to strengthen the civic fabric of Colorado.
Despite the controversy, no immediate disciplinary action was announced, leaving Greene's future at the organization uncertain. However, his social media account was deactivated, and his personal page on the Rocky Mountain PBS website was later removed, sparking speculation about his employment status.
As of Wednesday morning, it remained unclear whether Greene had been fired, resigned, or was still employed by Rocky Mountain PBS. The uncertainty has sparked a heated debate about the limits of free speech and the accountability of public officials.
