Update 7:15pm CT: Kathy Griffin issued an apology via a Twitter video Tuesday following backlash over her bloody Trump head photo shoot, saying she “crossed the line” and “went way too far.”
I am sorry. I went too far. I was wrong. pic.twitter.com/LBKvqf9xFB
— Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) May 30, 2017
Griffin said she would also ask the photographer to remove the photo.
The decision to issue an apology also followed a message from the Secret Service twitter account appearing to suggest they would investigate Griffin.
On it! @SecretService has a robust protective intelligence division that monitors open source reporting & social media to evaluate threats
— U.S. Secret Service (@SecretService) May 30, 2017
Threats made against @SecretService protectees receive the highest priority of all of our investigations. #ProtectionNeverRests
— U.S. Secret Service (@SecretService) May 30, 2017
Discussing the photo shoot for a little over a minute, a CNN panel almost completely dismissed Griffin’s actions, with one panelist taking issue with a tweet from Donald Trump Jr. stating, “Disgusting but not surprising. This is the left today.”
CNN host Jake Tapper made sure to note in a tweet he mentioned Griffin’s act “was disgusting and inappropriate.”
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
New Year’s Eve co-host Anderson Cooper also tweeted his disgust, although neither CNN representative commented on whether the network would have her host future events.
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
Responding to a previous depiction of his assassination from rapper Snoop Dogg in March, President Trump tweeted, “Can you imagine what the outcry would be if @SnoopDogg, failing career and all, had aimed and fired the gun at President Obama? Jail time!”
Can you imagine what the outcry would be if @SnoopDogg, failing career and all, had aimed and fired the gun at President Obama? Jail time!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 15, 2017
Original story continues below…
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Comedian Kathy Griffin posed for photos holding a bloody, decapitated head made in the likeness of US President Donald Trump.
Celebrity website TMZ got a hold of the photo Tuesday along with behind-the-scenes footage of the shoot with photographer Tyler Shields.
“During the photo shoot, Kathy joked that she and Tyler would need to move to Mexico once the pics got released, for fear they’d be thrown in prison,” reports TMZ.
Griffin has frequently appeared as a host on CNN during their New Year’s Eve programming.
“Griffin has hosted CNN’s New Year’s Eve program since 2007 with AC360 host/friend Anderson Cooper,” NewsBusters.org notes.
Almost immediately, Twitter erupted with users claiming the photo promoted violence against the sitting US president, with others questioning whether CNN would denounce Griffin’s actions. Many also inquired whether advertisers would continue supporting the network:
Hey @CNN do you condone Kathy Griffin's views? Will she be hosting New Year's Eve Live again with @AC360? pic.twitter.com/USG4gUCvck
— Nick Short (@PoliticalShort) May 30, 2017
Of course CNN will probably keep Kathy Griffin on the payroll for their annual New Years Eve coverage, cuz they want Trump dead too. Sad.
— Mark Dice (@MarkDice) May 30, 2017
Who wore it better? Stay class Kathy Griffin. Merica. pic.twitter.com/ezu2LN6KYs
— Cloyd Rivers Pics (@CloydRiversPics) May 30, 2017
CNN live and still mum about their employee, Kathy Griffin, and her terrorist activities pic.twitter.com/nz3L1U21wK
— Mosquito Bridge (@110011l) May 30, 2017
@CNN contributor everybody… Kathy Griffin
Does this make you proud @andersoncooper @jaketapper @brianstelter @donlemon ? pic.twitter.com/rPsoNekHEs— Steve Trammell (@GMSteveTrammell) May 30, 2017
@kathygriffin @cnn @andersoncooper Kathy Griffin is promoting violence against President Trump. Will U denounce her actions? Or u part of it
— IndependenceIsBliss (@IronMamba) May 30, 2017
Kathy Griffin photo holding beheaded #Trump inciting violence to @POTUS. Arrest her. RT@Cernovich CNN advertisers! pic.twitter.com/FJZTWkpZ3r
— Trump AssaultCentral (@_MAGAWarriors) May 30, 2017
@toddstarnes @CNN I'm old enough to remember when the left said this kind of stuff was used by ISIS as a recruiting tool.
Kathy Griffin
— UNNAMED SOURCES BOT (@politiwars) May 30, 2017
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
Friendly reminder that Kathy Griffin does work for CNN. We'll see if they actually fire her.
— russia colluder (@RSkotzke) May 30, 2017
I hope no family members of James Foley or Daniel Pearl are on twitter today, given the disgusting Kathy Griffin photo. And @cnn pays her?
— Hattie Kauffman (@Hatsfree) May 30, 2017
Hey @CNN, why are you refusing to disavow your employee Kathy Griffin and her ISIS style satanic ritual? Do CNN's advertisers support this? pic.twitter.com/nHnR9oqgiu
— Jeremy Nolt (@RealJeremyNolt) May 30, 2017
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Infowars is launching a new $200,000 contest to expose CNN’s Kathy Griffin and mainstream media’s call for violence.
$1,000 prize for anyone who is seen on TV with a “œCNN is ISIS” t-shirt or sign.
$2,500 prize for anyone who is seen on TV with a “CNN is ISIS sign” and who also is heard to say, Infowars.com.
Check out the contest at https://www.infowars.com/200k-cash-prizes-infowars-launches-operation-expose-terrorist-mediakathy-griffin/.
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