Connecticut TV sports reporter fired after referring to Sen. Tim Scott as ‘Uncle Tom’

A television sports reporter in Connecticut was fired after referring to Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) as “Uncle Tom” in a since-deleted tweet on Wednesday. 

“After reviewing the incident, the network released sports reporter, Fred Gerteiny, as a result of a racially insensitive comment,” News 12 Connecticut said in a Wednesday statement. “News 12 Networks has a zero tolerance policy for racism or improper conduct based on race, and prides itself on being an objective and unbiased multi-platform news company.”

Gerteiny’s tweet was in response to Scott, who is the only Black GOP senator, who addressed President Trump’s “stand back and stand by” remarks on the white supremacist Proud Boys group during Tuesday night’s presidential debate with Joe Biden. 

“I think he misspoke in response to Chris Wallace’s comment. He was asking Chris what he wanted to say. I think he misspoke. I think he should correct it. If he doesn’t correct it, I guess he didn’t misspeak,” Scott said.

Gerteiny wrote “Thanks Uncle Tom” on Twitter while sharing a story by The Hill reporting on Scott’s remarks. 

@News12CT may have a problem on their hands. pic.twitter.com/I251hXD7qR

— J.R.S (@_JRS79) September 30, 2020

Trump has since told the Proud Boys to “stand down,” with the president adding he wasn’t aware of who the group is.  

Gerteiny issued an apology on social media on Wednesday. 

“Earlier today, I tweeted a racially insensitive comment, when I referred to @SenatorTimScott as an ‘Uncle Tom,'” Gerteiny tweeted. “I apologize to the Senator, my colleagues @News12CT, and anyone else I may have offended with this deeply offensive tweet.”

The reporter has since deleted his account.