Kathy Griffin apologizes for photo shoot with bloodied Trump mask, says she ‘went too far’
Comedian Kathy Griffin has apologized for a photo of herself holding what appears to be a bloody, decapitated fake head of President Trump, despite sweeping bi-partisan disapproval of the image.
The photo, taken by celebrity photographer Tyler Shields, was posted by Griffin and Shields Tuesday to their social media accounts.
“Hey everybody, it’s me, Kathy Griffin,” she says in the video. “I sincerely apologize. I am just now seeing the reaction to these images. I’m a comic. I crossed 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. I’ve made a lot of mistakes in my career. I will continue. I ask your forgiveness. Taking down the image. I am 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.”
https://twitter.com/kathygriffin/status/869703678550171648
The image caught the attention of the U.S. Secret Service. Although the federal law enforcement agency does not directly cite the image in any of its tweets, in response to Twitter users tweeting the image at its account, the Secret Service tweeted Tuesday afternoon, “On it! @SecretService has a robust protective intelligence division that monitors open source reporting & social media to evaluate threats.”
On it! @SecretService has a robust protective intelligence division that monitors open source reporting & social media to evaluate threats
— U.S. Secret Service (@SecretService) May 30, 2017
Threats made against @SecretService protectees receive the highest priority of all of our investigations. #ProtectionNeverRests
— U.S. Secret Service (@SecretService) May 30, 2017
The image did not sit well with the president’s son, Donald Trump, Jr., who tweeted, “Disgusting but not surprising. This is the left today. They consider this acceptable. Imagine a conservative did this to Obama as POTUS?”
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, 2017
Even the daughter of Trump’s Democratic presidential rival slammed Griffin’s photo.
“This is vile and wrong,” tweeted Chelsea Clinton. “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
Actress Alyssa Milano tweeted, “.@kathygriffin I’m sorry but that is totally inappropriate and so very offensive. And I have to believe you’re smart enough to know better.”
.@kathygriffin I'm sorry but that is totally inappropriate and so very offensive. And I have to believe you're smart enough to know better.
— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) May 30, 2017
Even Anderson Cooper, who is friends with Griffin and hosts CNN’s New Year’s Eve special with her, tweeted, “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
h/t ABC News