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Kathy Griffin apologises for controversial Donald Trump photoshoot

Comedian Kathy Griffin faced intense backlash yesterday when she took part in a photoshoot that saw her pose with a bloody head that resembled President Donald Trump.

The 56-year-old star took part in the shoot with photographer Tyler Shields, and the controversial photo of Trump’s beheading sparked a social media frenzy – with some of his supporters even calling for her arrest.

The image sparked controversy. Copyright: [Tyler Shields]
The image sparked controversy. Copyright: [Tyler Shields]

Kathy has now apologised for upsetting people with the shoot, issuing a video statement in which she explained: “I am just now seeing the reaction of 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.”

She went on to add that the photo will be removed from Tyler’s website as well as his and her social media accounts.

Still, this was not enough for some critics, with many continuing to blast the comic on Twitter for the move:

Kathy’s apology comes after Tyler insisted that the star had no ill intent with the snap and simply wanted to make a political statement.

Speaking on Fox News, the photographer explained: “Kathy and I are friends and we worked together before, so when we started doing this shoot, she said, ‘I’d love to do something political. I’d love to make a statement’.

“We kind of figured out what would be the best image to make out of that.”

Trump was not amused.
Trump was not amused.

Defending the final image, Tyler continued: “That’s what art is meant to do. Some people look at it and they love it, some people look at it and they hate it… I understand there are going to be people that hate this.

“It’s a very touchy subject… but this is not real. We didn’t kill anybody nor do I feel anybody should be killed.

“It’s no different from a movie. It just happens to be a still image.”

Unsurprisingly, Trump himself has weighed in on the photoshoot, writing on Twitter: “Kathy Griffin should be ashamed of herself. My children, especially my 11 year old son, Barron, are having a hard time with this. Sick! [sic]”.

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