Yahoo News Fires DC Bureau Chief For Remark About Romney, Black Storm Victims

Start your day with TPM.
Sign up for the Morning Memo newsletter

Yahoo News has fired its Washington bureau chief David Chalian for a remark he made about Mitt Romney being comfortable celebrating at the Republican National Convention while “black people” suffer through Hurricane Isaac.

“They’re not concerned at all,” Chalian said of Mitt and Ann Romney, in a hot-mic moment during an ABC News/Yahoo News webcast at the Republican National Convention Tuesday. “They’re happy to have a party when black people drown.” The conservative site Newsbusters first surfaced the audio.

Yahoo announced Chalian’s firing in a statement: 

“David Chalian’s statement was inappropriate and does not represent the views of Yahoo!.  He has been terminated effective immediately. We have already reached out to the Romney campaign, and we apologize to Mitt Romney, his staff, their supporters and anyone who was offended.”

Politico first reported the news of Chalian’s termination.

Ed. Note: TPM Media has partnered with Yahoo in the distribution of Polltracker.

Latest Livewire
Masthead Masthead
Founder & Editor-in-Chief:
Executive Editor:
Managing Editor:
Deputy Editor:
Editor at Large:
General Counsel:
Publisher:
Head of Product:
Director of Technology:
Associate Publisher:
Front End Developer:
Senior Designer: