Daughter of Ousted CEO Attacks New CEO On GM’s Facebook Page In Swear-Filled Rant

WOW. You don’t see this every day: Yesterday, General Motors CEO Fritz Henderson announced his resignation, catching the auto world by surprise. Henderson, who had taken over from Obama-ousted former CEO Rick Wagoner, had been perceived by the industry to be doing a decent job in a beleaguered industry during a tough time. But for the GM board, it wasn’t enough: They wanted more of a “change agent.” So they asked for his resignation and installed GM Chairman Edward E. Whitacre Jr. in the interim. At a press conference, Whitacre read a prepared statement “thanking Henderson for his work during a period of challenge and change.”

Well! Fritz Henderson’s daughter, Sarah, did NOT like that — nor did she think the word “resignation” was appropriate. So she said so. In ALL CAPS. With many profanities. On the official GM Facebook page.

Here’s her statement from Jalopnik, which broke the story (NSFW!):

“HE FUCKING GOT ASKED TO STEP DOWN ALL OF YOU FUCKING IDIOTS. IM FRITZ’S FUCKING DAUGHTER, AND HE DID NOT FUCKING RESIGN. WHITACRE IS A SELFISH PIECE OF SHIFT, WHO CARES ABOUT HIMSELF AND NOT THE FUCKING COMPANY. HAVE FUN WITH GM, I HOPE TO NEVER BUY FROM THIS GOD FORESAKEN COMPANY EVERY AGAIN. FUCK ALL OF YOU.”

Well then! And here’s the screengrab, also from Jalopnik, which preserved it for posterity ahead of the inevitably quick scrubbing:

So! Was this really Sarah Henderson, daughter of Fritz? All signs point to yes (and Jalopnik, which lives and breathes the auto industry, would know, as would the various car writers who have picked it up; also, it’s been 15 hours and no one has issued any denial). HuffPo delved into her Facebook page, noting that while it had now been privated, there were still clues, such as a Michigan-heavy roster of friends and a UMich.edu email address (though a source with knowledge of the story says she goes to NYU). So it does seem that it was her.

Embarrassing for her dad? Maybe, unless you happen to be proud that your feisty, protective daughter has got your back. Beyond that, though, it’s just another lesson in how the immediacy and lowered barriers of the Internet have changed all the games — reaching even into the white-shoe boardrooms of the Big Three. It’s also the polar opposite of GM’s company-approved statement, read aloud at a short press conference and expected to suffice. As Sarah Henderson well knows, it doesn’t.

p.s. The ouster was quick but not that quick — Henderson had officially been CEO since March 29, 2009, which means eight months in the top spot. So, Dallas Morning News, learn to count).