CNN Fires Comedian Kathy Griffin over Controversial Trump Photo

CNN has fired comedian Kathy Griffin after she was photographed holding a prop that depicted U.S. President Donald Trump’s decapitated bloody head. The comedian is a New Year’s Eve correspondent and has been barred from appearing on the channel’s New Year’s Eve program.

"We found what she did was disgusting and offensive," the network had said on Tuesday. "We are pleased to see she has apologized and asked that the photos be taken down. We are evaluating our New Year’s Eve coverage and have made no decisions at this point.”

But even after the comedian publicly apologised, the channel decided to go ahead and fire her on Wednesday.

CNN has terminated our agreement with Kathy Griffin to appear on our New Year's Eve program.

— CNN Communications (@CNNPR) May 31, 2017

Celebrity photographer Tyler Shields had posted the photos online after a recent photo shoot with the comedian. The graphic nature of the photos was criticised by both liberals and Republicans.

Donald Trump tweeted that his 11-year-old son Barron was having an especially hard time with it. According to TMZ, Barron saw the photo on TV and thought something had happened to his father.

Kathy Griffin should be ashamed of herself. My children, especially my 11 year old son, Barron, are having a hard time with this. Sick!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 31, 2017

First Lady Melania Trump questioned Griffin’s mental health.

“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,” she said.

Even Chelsea Clinton tweeted against the image, as did Anderson Cooper.

This is vile and wrong. It is never funny to joke about killing a president. https://t.co/zIiuKoMyFw

— Chelsea Clinton (@ChelseaClinton) May 30, 2017

For the record, I am appalled by the photo shoot Kathy Griffin took part in. It is clearly disgusting and completely inappropriate.

— Anderson Cooper (@andersoncooper) May 31, 2017

Griffin posted an apology on social media soon after. “I crossed the line… I went way too far,” she said.

https://twitter.com/kathygriffin/status/869703678550171648

Griffin also lost an endorsement deal with Squatty Potty, a company which makes footstools for toilets.

“It was deeply inappropriate and runs contrary to the core values our company stands for,” said the company’s CEO Bobby Edwards in a statement.

Griffin is a popular stand-up comedian who has won two Emmys for her reality show ‘My Life on the D-List.’ The controversy brings up questions of free speech, the role of art and how far is too far.

Picture Credit: Washington Post

Also Read: TVF Sexual Harassment Case: Comedians Out In Support Of Women