Right-wing comedian Nick Di Paolo has been fired from his 2-hour show on SiriusXM radio's Faction Talk channel over a tweet he posted on the anniversary of the Columbine High School shooting encouraging "future school shooters" to attack schools with liberal leanings.
According to Boston.com, Di Paolo confirmed on his Twitter account that he was dismissed over what he called "a poorly worded tweet," while complaining he should only have been suspended.
“Hey Guys, Yes it’s true, @SIRIUSXM fired me for a poorly worded tweet, that warranted suspension at best,” Di Paolo wrote. “In my opinion, it’s a total overreaction on their part, but these are the times we live in. Don’t worry I will resurface soon. Thx for all your support!”
The tweet, which read, “Dear future school shooter, please confine yourself to coll. campuses, specifically faculty lounges at Berkeley, Fresno State etc,” was deleted by the comedian hours after he posted it last Friday, with Di Paolo claiming he was not aware that it was the anniversary of the 1999 Columbine shooting that took the lives of 12 students and one teacher.
Di Paolo reference to Fresno State was presumably aimed at Professor Randa Jarrar who has been a lighting rod for conservatives after making disparaging comments about the death of former first lady Barbara Bush.
The "Nick Is Right" comedian has made a minor name for himself with his angry rants, including attacking former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton ("and how much I hate her") as well as making rape jokes.
In a statement, SiriusXM rep Patrick Reilly did not address the tweet, but e-mailed a statement that read: “We have parted ways with Nick.”
