Home security company ADT claims it is pulling ads from cable network CNN following an outrageous depiction by CNN contributor Kathy Griffin of a decapitated US President Donald Trump.
“We do not support these views. We’ve begun the process of pulling our ads from this network,” the official ADT twitter account told several users referring to Griffin’s photo shoot.
In case you Liberal deniers of reality doubt that @ADT is leaving #CNN
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
CNN choose Kathy Griffin over decency pic.twitter.com/wjcv6OFy4V— DeplorableSmurf (@bad_spelur) May 31, 2017
Twitter users also called on other advertisers to reassess their sponsorship of CNN.
Hey @CNN – will Kathy Griffin be hosting your New Year's Eve show again? Your advertisers would like to know. pic.twitter.com/ngzHbBcPhN
— toddstarnes (@toddstarnes) May 30, 2017
After Griffin posed for photos with a bloody head resembling the 45th US president, many waited for CNN’s announcement she would no longer host their New Year’s Eve celebration, as she has done alongside Anderson Cooper since 2007.
But no such announcement was immediately forthcoming.
At noon on Wednesday, CNN finally announced it would cut Griffin from their upcoming New Year’s Eve show.
CNN has terminated our agreement with Kathy Griffin to appear on our New Year's Eve program.
— CNN Communications (@CNNPR) May 31, 2017
Following Griffin’s stunt several CNN hosts were forced to distance themselves from her gruesome act on Twitter.
For those asking, I said on air that I thought the beheading imagery by Griffin about the president was disgusting and inappropriate.
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) 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
However, despite the US Secret Service launching an investigation into the act, the cable network refused to immediately bar the comedian from upcoming hosting gigs.
“We found what she did disgusting and offensive,” a CNN representative stated. “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.”
Other companies have also severed ties with Griffin over the backlash.
The CEO of Squatty Potty, which had previously worked with Griffin on an ad, issued a statement saying they would no longer be airing her ad.
“We were shocked and disappointed to learn about the image Ms. Griffin shared today, it was deeply inappropriate and runs contrary to the core values our company stands for. In response, Squatty Potty has suspended its ad campaign featuring Ms. Griffin. We have acted swiftly and decisively to demonstrate our commitment to a culture of decency, civility, and tolerance,” the CEO of the poop device company stated.
At least one venue where Griffin was scheduled, Route 66 Casino in Albuquerque, cancelled her appearance over the backlash, offering customer refunds.
The July 22nd performance by Kathy Griffin has been cancelled.
— Route 66 Casino (@RT66CasinoHotel) May 30, 2017
Many also called for other venues to follow suit and cancel her future appearances.
If she wasn't on the left, somebody would make a list of Kathy Griffin's scheduled venues to ask why they're hosting a domestic terrorist. pic.twitter.com/FJdiSrt4mq
— Stefan Molyneux (@StefanMolyneux) May 30, 2017
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