CASEVILLE, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – When Tom Carriveau, a Caseville charter boat captain, found himself in hot water after inflammatory comments surfaced on his Facebook account, the fallout was swift and severe.
Carriveau, owner of Explorer Charters-Cruise Lines, has claimed that he didn’t post the remarks, which came in the wake of the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump. Carriveau has since shut down both his personal and professional social media sites.
The posts, which suggested the world would have been better off had the assassination attempt against Trump succeeded, sparked a storm of controversy that quickly capsized his professional life.
The posts in question, in screenshots from sources before the Facebook page was shut down, include Carriveau saying, “Damm (sic), bad shot. Would have done the world a service” and “We should watched his ficking brains brains blown away.”
Anchors aweigh.
The Huron Daily Tribune reports that as soon as screenshots of the comments began circulating on social media, the backlash was immediate and widespread. Carriveau was quickly expelled from the Thumb Area Charter Captain Association and the Caseville Area Chamber of Commerce.
Despite his protests that someone else made the posts after he lost his phone, the chamber’s president, Steve Louwers, explained that the decision to cut ties with Carriveau was unavoidable.
Louwers said that they had no choice because the public outrage was spilling over and affecting other members. He said their mission was to promote commerce, and continuing to associate with Carriveau would have caused irreparable harm.
A sinking ship.
Carriveau’s troubles didn’t stop there. Hagle Real Estate, where he worked as a real estate agent, also terminated his employment. The company’s Facebook page made it clear they wanted no part of the controversy, stating, “We do not stand for any form of violence, political or otherwise. As of today, Tom Carriveau is no longer an agent with Hagle Real Estate.”
Carriveau adrift.
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Carriveau’s defense hinges on his claim that his phone was lost and someone else made the offending posts. He insists he found his phone hours later in a public bathroom, only to discover a barrage of angry messages and the viral spread of the controversial comments. Despite taking the posts down and attempting to clear his name, the damage was already done.
Carriveau lamented that the situation happening to his business was “ridiculous” after his years of working to build up his business.
In a media report, Huron County Sheriff Kelly Hanson confirmed that Carriveau and his wife had contacted him for advice on tech support. He added that federal authorities had also been contacted due to public concerns over the comments posted.
Michigan News Source reached out to Carriveau for additional clarity on the situation but he did not return our request for comment.
The tide turns.
Regardless of Carriveau’s claims of innocence, the court of public opinion has already rendered its verdict from customers, community members and organizations. “Tom is a hard worker. He’s a great man. And I feel really bad for him. I feel bad for the family.” Louwers said. “I also feel bad for the victims, and on behalf of the Chamber of Commerce, we had to do what we had to do.”
A reputation dead in the water.
Carriveau’s plight is a stark reminder of the perilous waters businesses navigate in the age of social media. One false step or one wayward post can sink even the most seaworthy of ships. As Carriveau fights to salvage his reputation and livelihood, the lesson is clear: in the digital ocean, it’s all too easy to get caught in a net.
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