CNN confirms via Twitter that they have fired Kathy Griffin an annual co-host for CNN’s New Years Eve Live program since 2006 over a disturbing photo she posted via social media, holding a beheaded and bloodied President Trump head.
The image, originally filmed by celebrity photography Tyler Shields has since been removed by Griffin, but not before widespread bi-partisan disapproval took to Twitter expressing distaste with words like vile and violent. Even Chelsea Clinton had something to say:
President Donald Trump delivered a tweet saying his 11-year-old son Barron was “having a hard time” after seeing the gory image.
Griffin then apologized hours later on Twitter in a video:
But, the apology didn’t dissuade sponsors and advertisers like ADT from pulling the plug on adverts appearing on the Time Warner owned network CNN. Soon after, Squatty Potty CEO Bobby Edwards released statement suspending the perfect pooping posture company’s ad campaign with Griffin. “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,” Edwards said on Wednesday.
Once ADT left CNN, the Cable News Network officially severed ties with Griffin as co-host for the annual New Years Eve Live program, fearing other advertisers would flee the network, a spokesperson said, “CNN has terminated our agreement with Kathy Griffin to appear on our New Year’s Eve Live program.” The program has been running since 2001 with CNN journalist Anderson Cooper and Griffin joining in 2006. CNN’s New Year’s Eve Live is often filmed in Times Square, Nashville, Memphis, New Orleans and Key West, ringing in the new year by having the network’s reporters cover segments like the Crab Drop in Easton, Maryland, the Drag Queen Drop in Key West, Florida, or participating in the Midnight Run in Central Park, New York City.
CNN hasn’t said who will replace Griffin in this year’s New Years Eve Live program.