PR executive of an established media company deleted her Twitter account after sending out an offensive "joke" on Friday while departing for a flight to Cape Town, South Africa, the New York Daily News reported.
Justine Sacco, communications director for IAC, which controls websites like OKCupid, Vimeo and CollegeHumor, Tweeted: "Going to Africa. Hope I don't get AIDS. Just Kidding. I'm White!" The tweet indicates Sacco sent it from Hillingdon, London.
Sacco deleted the tweet, along with the account by Friday night, but not before it was retweeted more than 3,000 times and distributed by multiple news sites, The Daily Mail reported. Sacco's tweet was hit with labels like "Worst Tweet of the Year" and "inappropriate".
A mock Sacco Twitter account with the picture from her real page was set up, named "LOL Justine Sacco." The byline said: "PR Disaster. Racist idiot. All-around awful."
"I think the lady across the aisle is clicking at me,"read one tweet from the mock account. "I'm sorry...I don't speak Kwanzaa LOL #whitesanta #longestflightever #haveilandedyet."
The hash tag HasJustineLandedYet is also trending on Twitter.
Josephine Baker tweeted "Listen, homegirl is about to be FIRED."
"WOW! Reinforce the ignorant American stereotype much?" tweeted Stephanie Be, the Daily Mail reported.
In one constructive response to Sacco's tweet, someone created the website justtinesacco.com with links to charities dedicated to improving education and eradicating AIDs in Africa.
IAC said they will take action against the "employee in question."
"This is an outrageous, offensive comment that does not reflect the views and values of IAC," IAC said in a statement sent to the Daily News. "This is a very serious matter and we are taking appropriate action."
This is not the first time Sacco has sent questionable Tweets.
"I can't be fired for things I say while intoxicated right?" Sacco tweeted Jan. 29.
Sacco issued an apology from Cape Town on her Facebook page.
"I made a huge stupidity, I deeply apologize. Away form me a racist idea, it was just for laughs."
