CNN fires Kathy Griffin after Trump head photos

CNN fired comedian Kathy Griffin from its annual New Year’s Eve broadcast on Wednesday after she drew strong criticism for posing in photographs holding up the likeness of a bloody, severed head resembling US President Donald Trump.

The network announced the termination after earlier criticizing the photos as “disgusting and offensive.”

Griffin posted a videotaped apology on Tuesday night amid a public outcry from Republicans and Democrats alike over the images, including condemnation from Trump.

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

The US Secret Service, responsible for presidential security, has opened an inquiry into the posting of Griffin posing with the severed- head replica, a spokesperson in Los Angeles said when asked whether the agency was looking into the incident as a potential threat on the president’s life. “We’re aware of it and we’re investigating it,” the spokesperson, George Fernandez, said.

Griffin, 56, a two- time Emmy- winning performer known for her deliberately provocative brand of humor, has appeared since 2007 as co- host of CNN’s New Year’s Eve broadcast from Times Square in New York with anchor Anderson Cooper. CNN did not make clear whether it was cutting its New Year’s Eve deal for just the upcoming 2017 broadcast or for good.

The furor also cost Griffin a show at the Route 66 Casino Hotel outside Albuquerque, New Mexico scheduled for July 22, a spokesperson said.