CNN officially removes Kathy Griffin from its New Year's Eve broadcast after nearly 10 years
CNN has officially axed comedian Kathy Griffin from its annual New Year's Eve live broadcast following a highly controversial photo of her holding the fake severed head of President Donald Trump.
On Tuesday afternoon, the network released a brief statement: "CNN has terminated our agreement with Kathy Griffin to appear on our New Year's Eve program."
CNN has terminated our agreement with Kathy Griffin to appear on our New Year's Eve program.
— CNN Communications (@CNNPR) May 31, 2017
Earlier Tuesday, a spokesperson from CNN told Mediaite said the network was "evaluating" her role in the December broadcast and had "made no decisions" at that time. This would have been Griffin's tenth time co-hosting alongside Anderson Cooper.
For his part, Cooper swiftly condemned the graphic photo just hours after it hit the internet. "For the record, I am appalled by the photo shoot Kathy Griffin took part in," he tweeted. "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
The decision comes less than 24 hours after Griffin issued a video apology via Twitter for the image. "I beg your forgiveness," she said in the 30-second clip.
Trump himself tweeted that Griffin should be "ashamed." Reports later claimed that his 11-year-old son saw the photo on TV and began to cry.
A number of other celebrities and prominent figures, including Chelsea Clinton, had visceral reactions to the photo. You can view some in the slideshow below.
