CNN Cuts Ties With Kathy Griffin For Holding Likeness Of Trump's Severed Head In Video
NEW YORK (CBS/CNN/AP) — CNN is cutting ties with Kathy Griffin after appearing in a video holding a likeness of President Donald Trump's severed head.
"CNN has terminated our agreement with Kathy Griffin to appear on our New Year's Eve program," the network said in a statement.
Griffin has co-hosted CNN's annual New Year's Eve program alongside Anderson Cooper since 2007.
On Tuesday night, a CNN spokesperson called the photos "disgusting and offensive."
Kathy Griffin Releases Photo Holding A Severed Trump Head
Griffin's video holding what was meant to look like Donald Trump's severed head made the president seethe — and now the comic known for her abrasive brand of humor not only has the White House mad at her, but also has lost an endorsement deal, at least one club engagement, and her lucrative TV job.
Trump said Griffin "should be ashamed of herself" for appearing in the video. Trump tweeted Wednesday morning: "My children, especially my 11-year-old son, Barron, are having a hard time with this. Sick!"
First lady Melania Trump issued a statement of her own: "As a mother, a wife, and a human being, that photo is very disturbing. When you consider some of the atrocities happening in the world today, a photo opportunity like this is simply wrong and makes you wonder about the mental health of the person who did it."
Griffin has apologized, conceding that the brief video, which she originally described as an "artsy-fartsy statement" mocking the commander in chief, was "too disturbing" and wasn't funny.
"I went too far," she says in her contrite follow-up video. "I sincerely apologize."
But many people online were calling for more than an apology — they called for Griffin to be jailed.
A New Mexico casino said it has canceled a performance by Griffin. She was scheduled to perform at Route 66 Casino, operated by Laguna Pueblo, on July 22.
Social Media Having Fun Trying To Define Trump's 'Covfefe'
Griffin has also lost a commercial endorsement deal that she landed just three weeks ago. Squatty Potty, a Utah-based company whose products include toilet stools and other bathroom accessories, said it was suspending an ad campaign that featured Griffin.
"We were shocked and disappointed" by the video, said Bobby Edwards, the company's CEO. "It was deeply inappropriate and runs contrary to the core values our company stands for."
"I am a true supporter of free speech, but feel Kathy crossed the line," Edwards added. "I regret having to make these decisions, but have no choice."
Griffin's annual partner for the Times Square telecasts, CNN correspondent Anderson Cooper, weighed in with his own reprimand: "For the record, I am appalled by the photo shoot Kathy Griffin took part in," he tweeted. "It is clearly disgusting and completely inappropriate."
Griffin's trademark comedy style trades on a self-deprecating streak (she brands herself as mired on the "D List" of show biz) while she targets celebs who are higher up the food chain. And while she may never have riled a celeb of the magnitude of President Trump, the 56-year-old comic has gotten into trouble with her wisecracks.
In 2005 she was fired from her job as an E! network red-carpet commentator after joking at the Golden Globe Awards that child actress Dakota Fanning had checked into rehab.
Two years later, while accepting an Emmy for her Bravo reality series, "Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D List," she declared that "a lot of people come up here and thank Jesus for this award. I want you to know that no one had less to do with this award than Jesus."
Then she held up her trophy and said, "Suck it, Jesus. THIS is my God now!"
Her appearance was during the Creative Arts Emmys ceremony, which wasn't aired live but instead was taped for later broadcast by E! Her remarks were therefore edited. But reports of what she said drew fire from many, including Catholic League President Bill Donohue, who called it a "vulgar, in-your-face brand of hate speech."
Trump Urging World Leaders To Call Him Directly On Cell Phone
Griffin remained unrepentant.
"I have a no-apology policy," she told CBS News in 2012. "No apologies for jokes. I apologize in my real life all the time. I say ridiculous things, I make mistakes constantly. But when I'm onstage, I'm at a microphone ... it's a joke!"
She said the fallout from her Emmy stunt was "heaven" for her: "I mean, it was comedy gold."
This week, Griffin clearly rethought her rule that comedy means never having to say you're sorry.
(TM and © Copyright 2017 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2017 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
