USA TODAY International Edition
CNN fires Griffin over Trump photograph
Offensive stunt costs comedian two other jobs
“Kathy Griffin should be ashamed of herself. My children ... are having a hard time with this. Sick!”
Kathy Griffin’s Trump dustup is costing her money.
A day after Griffin released a picture of herself holding a mock “decapitated” head of President Trump, shot by a selfproclaimed “provocateur” photographer, CNN announced Wednesday that they have terminated their decade- long contract with the comedian to appear with Anderson Cooper on New Year’s Eve.
“CNN has terminated our agreement with Kathy Griffin to appear on our New Year’s Eve program,” CNN spokesman Shimrit Sheetrit confirmed to USA TODAY in a statement Wednesday.
The network used even stronger language a day earlier: “We found what she did disgusting and offensive,” read a statement sent to USA TODAY Tuesday night. “We are pleased to see she has apologized and asked that the photos be taken down.”
Although he has ushered in many a new year alongside the comedian, Cooper would not defend his co- host’s actions. “For the record, I am appalled by the photo shoot Kathy Griffin took part in,” he tweeted Tuesday night. “It is clearly disgusting and completely inappropriate.”
Griffin lost two more gigs Wednesday: A New Mexico casino scrapped her July 22 performance and Squatty Potty, a Utah company, fired her from an endorsement gig.
Squatty Potty CEO Bobby Edwards said Wednesday the company was “shocked and disappointed” by Griffin’s actions.
Social media erupted over the photo, steering attention away from Trump’s expected announcement to withdraw from the Paris climate deal.
The president said the image particularly upset his youngest son. “Kathy Griffin should be ashamed of herself. My children, especially my 11- year- old son, Barron, are having a hard time with this. Sick!” Trump tweeted. The first lady also chimed in. “As a mother, a wife, and a human being, that photo is very disturbing,” Melania Trump said.
Late Tuesday, Griffin profusely apologized. “I crossed the line,” she said. “I went way too far. ... It wasn’t funny. I get it. ... I ask for your forgiveness.”
President Trump