CNN Cuts Ties With Kathy Griffin

CNN has decided to end its decadelong relationship with Kathy Griffin as a result of the comedian’s controversial photo shoot, in which she held a prop that resembled the bloodied head of President Donald Trump.

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

— CNN Communications (@CNNPR) May 31, 2017

Griffin has been a regular feature of CNN’s New Year’s Eve coverage since 2007, when she first co-hosted the festivities with Anderson Cooper.

Griffin initially defended the photo shoot with celebrity photographer and director Tyler Shields as a work of art when the photos were first released Tuesday. Later that night, as the criticism grew louder, she apologized and said she had asked Shields to take down the photo. 

I am sorry. I went too far. I was wrong. pic.twitter.com/LBKvqf9xFB

— Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) May 30, 2017

“I beg for your forgiveness. I went too far. I made a mistake and I was wrong,” she said. 

CNN said in a previous statement shortly after Griffin posted the video that the network was “pleased” Griffin apologized for the “disgusting and offensive” image. Nevertheless, they said they were “evaluating” whether Griffin will be invited to help host the channel’s New Year’s Eve special once again. 
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The image was roundly criticized by people including President Trump and Griffin’s New Year’s Eve co-host, Cooper. ​