Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., said Thursday "it would be best" for embattled comedian Kathy Griffin to not attend a previously scheduled joint appearance they had planned for July.
Franken had said he would be with Griffin for the July 7 appearance in California despite the furor over her gruesome photo of a fake beheaded President Donald Trump. But he reversed course at an event promoting his new book, "Giant of the Senate," Politico reported.
"I believe what Kathy Griffin did was inappropriate and not something that should be be anywhere in our national discourse," Franken said, Politico reported. "I consider her a friend, and I'm glad she realized she crossed the line and apologized.
"After hearing from many Minnesotans who were rightfully offended, I've come to the conclusion that it would be best for her not to participate in the event we had previously scheduled. I understand why Minnesotans were upset by this, and I take that very seriously."
According to Politico, Griffin contributed to the campaigns of Franken and other Democratic politicians, though Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., announced she would donate the $1,000 received from Griffin to charity.
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