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Kathy Griffin apologizes for severed Donald Trump head photo after backlash Kathy Griffin: ‘I beg for your forgiveness’ for grisly photo showing Donald Trump’s severed head
(about 7 hours later)
Comedian Kathy Griffin said she was “not afraid to do images that make noise.” But the picture of her holding a prop of President Trump’s severed head would lead to an apology after criticism came from the president’s son, a Clinton, her co-host on CNN’s New Year’s Eve coverage, and many more. Kathy Griffin said she was “not afraid to do images that make noise.” But a gruesome picture showing the comedian and reality TV star holding a prop of President Trump’s severed head would lead to an apology after criticism over the shocking photo came from the president’s son, a Clinton, Griffin’s co-host for CNN’s New Year’s Eve coverage, and many more.
In a video posted on Twitter and Instagram, Griffin said that she crossed the line and that the image was too disturbing.In a video posted on Twitter and Instagram, Griffin said that she crossed the line and that the image was too disturbing.
“I sincerely apologize I am just now seeing the reaction of these images,” she said of the picture first published by TMZ. “I sincerely apologize I am just now seeing the reaction of these images,” she said of the picture.
I am sorry. I went too far. I was wrong. pic.twitter.com/LBKvqf9xFB — Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) May 30, 2017I am sorry. I went too far. I was wrong. pic.twitter.com/LBKvqf9xFB — Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) May 30, 2017
I am sorry. I went too far. I was wrong. pic.twitter.com/LBKvqf9xFBI am sorry. I went too far. I was wrong. pic.twitter.com/LBKvqf9xFB
— Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) May 30, 2017— Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) May 30, 2017
The 56-year-old is a veteran stand-up comedian and actress who has won two Emmys for her reality show “My Life on the D List.” Griffin, a veteran stand-up comedian and actress who has won two Emmys for her reality show “My Life on the D List,” had shared the image in a now-deleted tweet.
Griffin had shared the images in now-deleted tweets: “I caption this ‘there was blood coming out of his eyes, blood coming out of his …wherever,’” she wrote Tuesday.
1/ I caption this “there was blood coming out of his eyes, blood coming out of his …wherever” Also @tylershields great Photog/filmmaker. pic.twitter.com/eKqr44NOl6 — Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) May 30, 2017 In a second tweet, she added: “OBVIOUSLY, I do not condone ANY violence by my fans or others to anyone, ever! I’m merely mocking the Mocker in Chief.”
1/ I caption this “there was blood coming out of his eyes, blood coming out of his …wherever” Also @tylershields great Photog/filmmaker. pic.twitter.com/eKqr44NOl6 The photo was shot by Tyler Shields, whose own biography notes that he is “recognized as ‘Hollywood’s favorite photographer,’” having evolved from the “’bad boy of photography,’ with his controversial blood-stained photographic series featuring Lindsay Lohan.”
— Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) May 30, 2017 Griffin said Tuesday night that she has asked Shields to take down the image.
2/ OBVIOUSLY, I do not condone ANY violence by my fans or others to anyone, ever! I’m merely mocking the Mocker in Chief. — Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) May 30, 2017 Criticism came from both conservatives and liberal figures, including Donald Trump Jr. and former GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney.
2/ OBVIOUSLY, I do not condone ANY violence by my fans or others to anyone, ever! I’m merely mocking the Mocker in Chief.
— Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) May 30, 2017
The photo shoot was by photographer Tyler Shields. Griffin said she has asked him to take down the images.
Criticism came from both conservatives and liberal figures, including Donald Trump Jr., who called the picture “disgusting but not surprising.”
Disgusting but not surprising. This is the left today. They consider this acceptable. Imagine a conservative did this to Obama as POTUS? https://t.co/QdghcbIjS7 — Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) May 30, 2017Disgusting but not surprising. This is the left today. They consider this acceptable. Imagine a conservative did this to Obama as POTUS? https://t.co/QdghcbIjS7 — Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) May 30, 2017
Disgusting but not surprising. This is the left today. They consider this acceptable. Imagine a conservative did this to Obama as POTUS? https://t.co/QdghcbIjS7Disgusting but not surprising. This is the left today. They consider this acceptable. Imagine a conservative did this to Obama as POTUS? https://t.co/QdghcbIjS7
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) May 30, 2017— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) May 30, 2017
Former GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney weighed in also, saying that politics “have become too base, too low, & too vulgar, but Kathy Griffin’s post descends into an even more repugnant & vile territory.”
Our politics have become too base, too low, & too vulgar, but Kathy Griffin's post descends into an even more repugnant & vile territory. — Mitt Romney (@MittRomney) May 30, 2017Our politics have become too base, too low, & too vulgar, but Kathy Griffin's post descends into an even more repugnant & vile territory. — Mitt Romney (@MittRomney) May 30, 2017
Our politics have become too base, too low, & too vulgar, but Kathy Griffin's post descends into an even more repugnant & vile territory.Our politics have become too base, too low, & too vulgar, but Kathy Griffin's post descends into an even more repugnant & vile territory.
— Mitt Romney (@MittRomney) May 30, 2017— Mitt Romney (@MittRomney) May 30, 2017
But even people who do not usually defend Trump expressed repulsion at the image.But even people who do not usually defend Trump expressed repulsion at the image.
Chelsea Clinton called the photo “vile and wrong.” Responding to a comment that “it’s also ‘art.’ it doesn’t hurt anyone,” Clinton said she respected Griffin’s right to freedom of speech but also said “it’s not funny and not ok.” Chelsea Clinton called the photo “vile and wrong.”
This is vile and wrong. It is never funny to joke about killing a president. https://t.co/zIiuKoMyFw — Chelsea Clinton (@ChelseaClinton) May 30, 2017This is vile and wrong. It is never funny to joke about killing a president. https://t.co/zIiuKoMyFw — Chelsea Clinton (@ChelseaClinton) May 30, 2017
This is vile and wrong. It is never funny to joke about killing a president. https://t.co/zIiuKoMyFwThis is vile and wrong. It is never funny to joke about killing a president. https://t.co/zIiuKoMyFw
— Chelsea Clinton (@ChelseaClinton) May 30, 2017— Chelsea Clinton (@ChelseaClinton) May 30, 2017
I can both respect her right to freedom of speech, which I do, and think it's not funny and not ok — Chelsea Clinton (@ChelseaClinton) May 30, 2017 Responding to a comment that “it’s also ‘art’, it doesn’t hurt anyone,” Clinton said of Griffin and her gory photo: “I can both respect her right to freedom of speech, which I do, and think it’s not funny and not ok.”
I can both respect her right to freedom of speech, which I do, and think it's not funny and not ok CNN, where Griffin is a co-host for the network’s New Year’s Eve program, called the picture “disgusting and offensive,” adding in a statement that it is “evaluating our New Year’s coverage.”
— Chelsea Clinton (@ChelseaClinton) May 30, 2017 Her New Year’s Eve co-host, Anderson Cooper, tweeted that he was “appalled by the photo shoot.”
CNN, where Griffin is a co-host for the network’s New Year’s Eve program, said in a statement characterized the pictures as “disgusting and offensive,” adding that it is “evaluating our New Year’s coverage.”
New: CNN says Kathy Griffin photo “disgusting and offensive.” Says it is “evaluating our New Year’s Eve coverage….” Statement:: pic.twitter.com/u5rtj86Ty2 — Dylan Byers (@DylanByers) May 31, 2017
New: CNN says Kathy Griffin photo “disgusting and offensive.” Says it is “evaluating our New Year’s Eve coverage….” Statement:: pic.twitter.com/u5rtj86Ty2
— Dylan Byers (@DylanByers) May 31, 2017
Her co-host on the show, Anderson Cooper, tweeted that he was “appalled by the photo shoot.”
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, 2017For 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
For the record, I am appalled by the photo shoot Kathy Griffin took part in. It is clearly disgusting and completely inappropriate.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— Anderson Cooper (@andersoncooper) May 31, 2017
At least one company is distancing itself from Griffin: The Utah-based producer of Squatty Potty toilet stools and Unicorn Gold bathroom products, said it was suspending a new ad campaign starring the comedian.
“We were shocked and disappointed to learn about the image Ms. Griffin shared today,” Squatty Potty CEO Bobby Edwards said in a statement. “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.”
Griffin has been critical of Trump in the past.Griffin has been critical of Trump in the past.
Speaking with MSNBC’s Chris Matthews on Trump’s first address to Congress, she said “he just says one hateful thing after the other; he’s so embarrassing.” Speaking with MSNBC’s Chris Matthews about Trump’s first address to a joint session of Congress, she said “he just says one hateful thing after the other; he’s so embarrassing.”
On “The View,” she called him insufferable, and and has shown support for one of Trump’s biggest critics in Congress. On “The View,” she called Trump “insufferable.”
Griffin has also shown support for one of Trump’s biggest critics in Congress.
Firing up #TheResistance with @KathyGriffin at my Town Hall tonight! Full capacity crowd, no Russian agents. #ImwithTed pic.twitter.com/DlsIb86zEY — Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) April 21, 2017Firing up #TheResistance with @KathyGriffin at my Town Hall tonight! Full capacity crowd, no Russian agents. #ImwithTed pic.twitter.com/DlsIb86zEY — Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) April 21, 2017
Firing up #TheResistance with @KathyGriffin at my Town Hall tonight! Full capacity crowd, no Russian agents. #ImwithTed pic.twitter.com/DlsIb86zEYFiring up #TheResistance with @KathyGriffin at my Town Hall tonight! Full capacity crowd, no Russian agents. #ImwithTed pic.twitter.com/DlsIb86zEY
— Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) April 21, 2017— Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) April 21, 2017
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly before Griffin’s apology, Shields, the photographer, said that he and the comedian had discussed doing something and she told him, “I’m not afraid to get political if you want or make a statement if you want.” In an interview with Entertainment Weekly before Griffin’s apology, Shields, the photographer, said that he and the comedian had discussed doing something. and she told him, “I’m not afraid to get political if you want or make a statement if you want.”
Shields added that, “fortunately, we have freedom of speech [in the First Amendment] and all art is generally protected by these things, but again, this was her first thought, ‘Will you bail me out of jail?’ You know, again, it wasn’t, ‘I don’t want to do this because I might go to jail.’ It was like, ‘Well, I’m gonna do it and whatever happens, happens.’ ” Shields added: “fortunately, we have freedom of speech and all art is generally protected by these things, but again, this was her first thought, ‘Will you bail me out of jail?’ You know, again, it wasn’t, ‘I don’t want to do this because I might go to jail.’ It was like, ‘Well, I’m gonna do it and whatever happens, happens.’”
Regarding potential backlash, he said, “It’s this thing of, ‘Well, I want everyone to like me. I want everyone to like the work that I make, especially young artists.’ You want people to love you, but part of that is that if you make things that are polarizing, people are gonna hate it. I think there will be a lot of people who will absolutely hate this, but again, that’s the beauty of it. That’s the fun of making things. Am I saying that anyone should actually be killed? No, it’s like a movie. How many movies are there where the president gets killed or this happens? Tons upon tons. But again, when it’s an image, especially an image like this, people don’t see it like that. They see it as reality and that’s why it’s so shocking to some people.” Regarding potential backlash, he said: “It’s this thing of, ‘Well, I want everyone to like me. I want everyone to like the work that I make, especially young artists.’ You want people to love you, but part of that is that if you make things that are polarizing, people are gonna hate it. I think there will be a lot of people who will absolutely hate this, but again, that’s the beauty of it. That’s the fun of making things.
He told the New York Daily News that “When you make art, you can do anything you want.” “Am I saying that anyone should actually be killed? No, it’s like a movie. How many movies are there where the president gets killed or this happens? Tons upon tons. But again, when it’s an image, especially an image like this, people don’t see it like that. They see it as reality and that’s why it’s so shocking to some people.”
Griffin said ultimately that they went too far. Can you go to jail for making an artistic statement??? Asking for a friend… @kathygriffin — Tyler Shields (@tylershields) May 27, 2017
“I understand how it offends people. It wasn’t funny. I get it. I’ve made a lot of mistakes in my career. I will continue. I ask your forgiveness. Taking down the image. Going to ask the photographer to take down the image. And I beg for your forgiveness. I went too far. I made a mistake and I was wrong.” Can you go to jail for making an artistic statement??? Asking for a friend… @kathygriffin
— Tyler Shields (@tylershields) May 27, 2017
The photographer told the New York Daily News that “when you make art, you can do anything you want.”
But Griffin said that ultimately, she and Shields went too far.
“I understand how it offends people; it wasn’t funny — I get it,” she said in her Tuesday-night apology. “I’ve made a lot of mistakes in my career. I will continue. I ask your forgiveness. Taking down the image. Going to ask the photographer to take down the image. And I beg for your forgiveness. I went too far. I made a mistake and I was wrong.”