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Portrait of Kathy Griffin

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Born in United States — comedy / television / political satire

Kathy Griffin

Film, television and entertainment

Documented profile covering 6 controversies, including “May 2017: photograph holding a fake bloodied head resembling Donald Trump” and “2017: dismissal by CNN, loss of advertising contract and cancellations following Trump photograph”.

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Profile No. 1987 · Updated on 12 October 2026

Portrait of Kathy Griffin

Photo: Wikimedia Commons
6Documented controversies
9Sources
0Formal charge · all time
0Conviction

§ Legal statuses reflect the documented sources as of the date shown; they replace neither court decisions nor the presumption of innocence. Counts are not a rating. Methodology

I. Documented controversies

01

30 May 2017

May 2017: photograph holding a fake bloodied head resembling Donald Trump

No legal proceedings

Griffin posed with a bloodied replica of Donald Trump's head. The image prompted widespread condemnation, and she quickly apologised.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Directly implicated

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    The Washington PostCNN cuts ties with Kathy Griffin amid controversy over gruesome anti-Trump photoPressHigh reliability
  2. [2]
    CBS NewsCNN fires Kathy Griffin from New Year's Eve gig over 'beheaded' Trump photoPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 14 September 2026

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02

May–June 2017

2017: dismissal by CNN, loss of advertising contract and cancellations following Trump photograph

No legal proceedings

CNN ended her annual New Year's Eve role alongside Anderson Cooper, an advertising contract was withdrawn and several performances were cancelled.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Directly implicated

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    CBS NewsCNN fires Kathy Griffin from New Year's Eve gig over 'beheaded' Trump photoPressHigh reliability
  2. [2]
    Us WeeklyKathy Griffin Loses Endorsement Deal After Beheaded Donald Trump PicPressMedium reliability

Last verified: 14 September 2026

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03

2017

2017: federal/Secret Service investigation following photograph, without criminal charges

Investigation

The photograph prompted federal authorities to examine whether it constituted a possible threat against the president. Griffin also reported temporary travel restrictions; ultimately, no criminal charges were brought.

Attribution
Directly implicated

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    The GuardianKathy Griffin: 'Trump went for me because I was an easy target'PressHigh reliability
  2. [2]
    Entertainment WeeklyKathy Griffin looks back on Trump photo scandalPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 14 September 2026

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04

August 2017

August 2017: publicly withdraws apology for Trump photograph

No legal proceedings

Several months after apologising, Griffin publicly withdrew her apology and argued that the reaction against her had been disproportionate.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Directly implicated

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    ABC NewsKathy Griffin retracts apology for decapitated Trump photoPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 14 September 2026

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05

2008–31 December 2009

2008–2009: live swearing on CNN and explicit warning before 2009 New Year's Eve broadcast

No legal proceedings

After several instances of inappropriate language during New Year's Eve programmes, Griffin said live on air that CNN had warned her that another incident could lead to her immediate dismissal.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Directly implicated

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    CNNAnderson Cooper 360 New Year's Eve Coverage transcriptBroadcastVery high reliability

Last verified: 14 September 2026

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06

September 2007

2007: Emmy Awards 'Suck it, Jesus' speech censored after religious controversy

No legal proceedings

During her Creative Arts Emmy Awards acceptance speech, Griffin mocked other artists' religious acknowledgements and used a deliberately blasphemous phrase. The passage was censored for television broadcast.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Directly implicated

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    CNNCNN transcript discussing Kathy Griffin's censored Emmy acceptance speechBroadcastVery high reliability
  2. [2]
    Catholic League2007 Report on Anti-Catholicism – Kathy Griffin controversyMedium reliability

Last verified: 14 September 2026

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II. Constellation of documented links

  • Linked profile (portrait or initials) — click to open it
  • Line width: number of documented references
  • Hover over or tap a line: controversies and sources

Two profiles are linked when a documented controversy of one names the other. The link points to that controversy and its sources; it does not indicate a personal relationship.

List of documented links (2)
  1. Anderson Cooper2 documented references
  2. Donald Trump1 documented reference

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