In an appearance on Dan Le Batard’s podcast “South Beach Sessions,” comedian Kathy Griffin revealed that her infamous photo shoot, where she was seen holding a fake bloody head resembling former President Donald Trump, cost her approximately one-third of her fan base. The incident in 2017 significantly impacted Griffin’s career and personal life, with the photograph inciting widespread controversy when it was first published online by TMZ in May.
Griffin has previously spoken about the effects of her decision on both her professional and personal life. In November 2023, she told Vulture that she now practices “cat-cow” yoga to help cope with what she claims is Trump-induced PTSD. During this yoga routine, Griffin makes animal noises while doing cat and cow poses, a practice she finds embarrassing but necessary to manage her symptoms.
Reflecting on the lost audience from the photo shoot incident, Griffin mentioned that while she may have gained some politically liberal fans, it has been difficult for her to maintain her presence in the South as she was once known for making fun of Hollywood and celebrities. Despite admitting the impact this decision had on her career, Griffin remains steadfast in her belief that she did nothing wrong during the photo shoot.