Georgie Gardner shuts down sexist troll who claimed Karl was 'superior'

Georgie has hit back at a sexist online troll. Photo: Channel Nine
Georgie has hit back at a sexist online troll. Photo: Channel Nine

Georgie Gardner has bravely shut down a sexist troll who lambasted her Today show performance before claiming she was inferior to Karl Stefanovic.

The clap back came on Twitter just days after the veteran presenter was unceremoniously dumped from the coveted gig in favour of her ex co-star, who was axed from the same at role 12 months ago.

“You got paid a sh** load of cash to maintain #9Today ratings, not to indulge in your progressive views,” the aggravated viewer wrote to Georgie on Monday.

“You failed dismally, trashing the shows ratings. You got paid for failure and you now have attitude?”

Attached to the shameless attack was a photo of Georgie and Karl laughing on set, featuring unrelated text which claimed ‘men are superior’.

Georgie rises above

But in an act of stoicism, the 49-year-old rose above her faceless critic, writing she simply “wished [them] well” despite the attack.

Fans were quick to praise her measured response, with followers calling the move everything from ‘authentic’ to ‘lovely’.

“Ignore the haters,” wrote one vocal supporter. “Thanks for being a wonderful role model to young Aussie women, including my two daughters. Such intelligence and grace. You'll be missed.”

“Georgie don’t worry about losers,” assured another. “You where amazing on the show. I’m shattered you’re not there anymore.”

Just hours before the online clap back, Georgie’s Today show co-stars Deborah Knight and Tom Steinfort announced her tenure as anchor had already come to an abrupt end in a somewhat awkward on-air segment.

On-air tribute

In a scripted piece to camera, the pair paid tribute to their “colleague and friend”, saying her departure came after a stretch of difficulty in the high-profile gig.

“You might have read over the weekend that Georgie has left the Today show,” Deb told the show’s audience.

“After a really challenging year, we want to wish Georgie all the very best.”

“She has been a committed and passionate member of the team here,” Tom added.

“She has always been a woman of strength here, a woman of class, and also, who could forget, a very wicked sense of humour that would just pop up from time to time as well.”

Reflecting on their dramatic 12-month stint at the Today show’s helm, Deb awkwardly summed up the experience by saying her co-star ‘gave it a red hot go’.

Just days earlier, the duo were unceremoniously axed in favour of 14-year veteran of the gig, Karl Stefanovic, and 60 Minutes reporter Allison Langdon, following weeks of speculation.

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