Elizabeth Lauten calls Malia and Sasha Obama classless in Facebook post

• Elizabeth Lauten, a Republican communications director, lashed out at Malia, 16, and Sasha, 13, for 'classless' clothes and sullen attitude
• Her Facebook post on Thanksgiving sparked outrage on social media
• Lauten claims she has since 'prayed for hours' and apologizes

By Mia De Graaf for MailOnline

Published: 12:17 EST, 29 November 2014 | Updated: 13:12 EST, 29 November 2014

A GOP staffer has accused First Daughters Malia and Sasha Obama of classlessness, lashing out at their attire and attitude at the White House turkey pardon.

The girls, aged 16 and 13, prompted playful criticism after scowling at their father, President Barack Obama, as he gave his annual Thanksgiving address on national television.

But Elizabeth Lauden, once a media director for the Republican National Committee, went a step further to call the girls 'classless' and take aim at their short skirts which 'deserve a spot at a bar'.

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Twitter abuse: Sasha, 13, (left) and Malia, 16, (right) were branded 'classless' by a GOP staffer for their attire

Open letter: Elizabeth Lauten, communications director for Rep Stephen Fincher, wrote this to the girls

'Dear Sasha and Malia,' she wrote on Facebook grabbed by The Root reporter Yesha, 'I get you're both in those awful teen years, but you're a part of the First Family, try showing a little class.'

Lauten, communications director for Rep Stephen Fincher of Tennessee, added: 'Act like being in the White House matters to you. Dress like you deserve respect, not a spot at a bar.

'And certainly don't make faces during televised public events.'

Sasha, 13, was dressed in a short maroon dress with a long cream cardigan that matched her thick cream socks, worn over bare legs.

Reaction: They prompted soft criticism for sullenly scowling at their father, the President, on Thanksgiving

Twitter users rushed to defend the girls who Lauten said 'deserve a spot at a bar' rather than the White House

Unimpressed: The First Daughters looked bored and unimpressed by their father's jokes about turkey

Clothing: Sasha wore a maroon dress and cardigan while Malia wore a mini kilt with black tights and boots

'Awful teenage years': The cyber-bullying post addressed to the young girls said they are at an 'awful' stage

Her sister Malia, 16, wore black tights under a mini kilt with a grey and cream jumper.

Lauten's outburst, which also slammed Barack and Michelle Obama for failing to be good role models, sparked outrage on Twitter.

Hours later, Lauten deleted the Facebook post, set her profile to private, and issued an apology: 'I reacted to an article and quickly judged the two young ladies in a way that I would never have wanted to be judged myself as a teenager.

Apology: Hours later she removed the original outburst, issued an apology and set her page to private

Other accusations: Lauten also took aim at Barack and Michelle Obama, saying they 'don't respect their roles'

Her critique was in response to a national broadcast of the annual White House turkey pardon

The national Thanksgiving turkey Cheese is seen in front of Barack Obama and his two daughters

'After many hours of prayer, talking to my parents and re-reading my words online, I can see more clearly how hurtful my words were.

'Please know that these judgmental feelings truly have no pace in my heart.

'Furthermore, I'd like to apologize to all of those who I have hurt and offended with my words, and pledge to learn and grow (and I assure you I have) from this experience.'

Reaction: Twitter users were outraged by Lauten's attack on the young girls on the national holiday