MSNBC host Kasie Hunt replied to a Twitter user who asked why she was “getting so fat” on July 8; leading to a string of Twitter responses that defended her, The Hill reported.
“Why is [Kasie Hunt] GETTING SO FAT?” the man wrote on Twitter. The tweet has since been deleted and the account has been suspended at the time of writing.
“I’m 8 months pregnant?” replied Hunt.
I’m 8 months pregnant? https://t.co/Jxp9h5SJeG
— Kasie Hunt (@kasie) July 9, 2019
Social Media Response
Some of Hunt’s colleagues from MSNBC took to Twitter to support her.
MSNBC live anchor Stephanie Ruhl added to Hunt’s tweet.
“& setting the best example for that little nugget you are cooking. – brilliant – beautiful – hard working – strong.’
& setting the best example for that little nugget you are cooking.
– brilliant
– beautiful
– hard working
– strong— Stephanie Ruhle (@SRuhle) July 9, 2019
NBC News and MSNBC legal analyst Maya Wiley wrote on Twitter: “And you’re amazing!”
And you’re amazing!
— Maya Wiley (@mayawiley) July 9, 2019
Others took it as an opportunity to take jabs at the critical Twitter user.
“I don’t think Tom has much career potential as an investigative reporter.”
I don’t think Tom has much career potential as an investigative reporter…
— Nicholas (@nickjamespoad) July 9, 2019
One person pointed out the possibility that the man might not be a real person.
“He’s a BOT. @kasie He’s trying to get a [reaction]. Everyone knows you’re pregnant & look beautiful.
He’s a BOT .@kasie He’s trying to get a reacting. Everyone knows you’re pregnant & look beautiful.
— kitty Lee (@kittentexana) July 9, 2019
According to Symantec, an American software company, a Twitter bot is a user account that can be programmed to perform tasks on the website by itself.
The company gives pointers on how to detect a Twitter bot.
Things to look for include recent account creation dates, usernames consisting of random numbers, their activity mostly consisting of retweets rather than original tweets, and short replies.
Most social media users gave an outpour of support with one in particular noting the nature of the question.
“Am I wrong, or is it is rude to a ask a woman such a question. Your gracious response was appropriately disarming,” the man wrote.
Am I wrong, or is it is rude to a ask a woman such a question. Your gracious response was appropriately disarming.
— Nicholas Mitchell (@puxxled) July 9, 2019
Building a Family
Hunt and senior digital producer of “Meet the Press,” Matthew Mario Rivera, tied the knot at Shenandoah Woods, Virginia in 2017.
“We were so touched that so many of our friends and family were willing to make the trek out to spend a weekend celebrating away from all the noise and distraction of our crazy lives in journalism,” Hunt told the San Francisco Gate.
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Hunt announced her pregnancy on the “Morning Joe” show on March 12 and made an Instagram post that showed she planned on naming the baby Hunt Rivera.