Kathy Griffin apologizes for photos with "beheaded" Trump
Kathy Griffin sent shockwaves through the internet when she posed with a "beheaded" President Trump. Hours after the image was released, she apologized and said she went "way too far."
The comedian looks somber in pictures and video that are reminiscent of Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) beheading videos and photos. She holds a facsimile of Mr. Trump's detached, bloodied head by the hair.
The photo was taken by Tyler Shields, who is known for controversial art including a photo of Clint Eastwood's daughter burning a $100,000 Hermes handbag.
Griffin tweeted in a graphic video post, "I caption this 'there was blood coming out of his eyes, blood coming out of his...wherever' Also @tylershields great Photog/film maker ... OBVIOUSLY, I do not condone ANY violence by my fans or others to anyone, ever! I'm merely mocking the Mocker in Chief."
Within hours, after outrage across the political spectrum, Griffin apologized and deleted the images and the video.
"I am sorry. I went too far. I was wrong," she wrote. In the video, she said, "The image is too disturbing, I understand how it offends people. It wasn't funny. ... I beg for your forgiveness."
I am sorry. I went too far. I was wrong. pic.twitter.com/LBKvqf9xFB
— Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) May 30, 2017
The tweet immediately received blowback, even drawing the wrath of 2012 Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, and Chelsea Clinton.
"Our politics have become too base, too low & too vulgar, but Kathy Griffin's post descends into an even more repugnant & vile territory," Romney tweeted.
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
"This is vile and wrong. It is never funny to joke about killing a president," Clinton posted on Twitter.
This is vile and wrong. It is never funny to joke about killing a president. https://t.co/zIiuKoMyFw
— Chelsea Clinton (@ChelseaClinton) May 30, 2017
CNN's Jake Tapper tweeted that he thought the "beheading imagery by Griffin about the president was disgusting and inappropriate." Griffin hosts a New Year's Eve special for CNN.
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
"I am as anti-trump as they come but this is disgusting & vile. You do not represent liberals or the resistance with this trash," wrote one Twitter user.
@kathygriffin @tylershields I am as anti-trump as they come but this is disgusting & vile. You do not represent liberals or the resistance with this trash.
— Mandy Hale (@MissMandyHale) May 30, 2017
@kathygriffin @tylershields I was horrified by Obama effigy being hung in the back of a pick up truck. I'm also horrified by this.
— Sue O'Connell (@SueNBCBoston) May 30, 2017
@kathygriffin You're morally bankrupt. I would take the same stand if a Conservative Celebrity did this to a Dem. @CNN should fire you ASAP.
— Robby Starbuck (@robbystarbuck) May 30, 2017
@kathygriffin @tylershields Thanks for setting the anti-Trump movement back about as far as you could. Idiot.
— Reverend Matty (@reverendmatty) May 30, 2017