Kathy Griffin Apologizes for Posing With Highly Disturbing Decapitated Trump Head
For years, Kathy Griffin has made a name for herself with a very specific brand of shock comedy. But for the first time, we’re seeing a different side of the 56-year-old — one where she's actually remorseful.
The famous redhead apologized after posing with a decapitated Donald Trump head that was covered in blood. “I am sorry. I went too far. I was wrong,” she wrote on Twitter, along with a video message expressing her regret.
“I’m a comic. I cross the line. I move the line, then I cross it. I went way too far. The image is too disturbing. I understand how it offends people. It wasn’t funny. I get it,” she said. “I beg your forgiveness. I went too far. I made a mistake and I was wrong.”
https://twitter.com/kathygriffin/status/869703678550171648
The image was shot by equally controversial photographer Tyler Shields, who has yet to comment on the backlash.
The President himself took to Twitter to express his disdain for the picture, saying his youngest child was having a particularly hard time with the incredibly gory picture. TMZ reports that when Barron saw the image on TV, he thought it was actually his father's head.
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“Kathy Griffin should be ashamed of herself,” the commander-in-chief wrote. “My children, especially my 11-year-old son, Barron, are having a hard time with this. Sick!”
Kathy Griffin should be ashamed of herself. My children, especially my 11 year old son, Barron, are having a hard time with this. Sick!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 31, 2017
The general public — both supporters and non-supporters of President Trump — rallied together to denounce the image.
Trump’s oldest son, Donald Jr., called the image “shocking but not surprising,” while urging CNN to sever ties with the comedienne, who has hosted the network’s New Year's specials with her friend, Anderson Cooper, in recent years.
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Even Anderson expressed his disdain, tweeting, “For the record, I am appalled by the photo shoot Kathy Griffin took part in. It is clearly disgusting and completely inappropriate.”
Former First Daughter — and noted Trump critic — Chelsea Clinton also conveyed her disappointment, tweeting, “This is vile and wrong. It is never funny to joke about killing a president.”
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
The image has since been removed from Tyler Shields’ social accounts.