Kathy Griffin, a comedian known for her criticism of former President Donald Trump, faced backlash from Trump supporters who planned to protest outside her standup comedy show in Long Island, New York. The protest was organized by a group called the America First Motor Club, who described Griffin as an “anti-Trump hater.” Griffin, who previously faced criticism for posing with an effigy of Trump’s severed head in 2017, responded to the planned protest on social media, calling the group of protesters “losers” and expressing her anticipation for their actions.
The protest, organized by the America First Motor Club, aimed to show opposition to Griffin’s presence at her show in Huntington, Long Island. The group promoted their protest with a flyer on social media that included a caravan of vehicles and derogatory statements about Griffin. In response, Griffin shared the flyer on her Instagram account, expressing curiosity about the protest and sharing a video promoting it. Despite the planned protest, Griffin’s fans showed support for her on social media, with one fan expressing excitement to see her show and denouncing Trump supporters.
Following the protest outside her show, Griffin shared photos on social media showing trucks with flags and images of her outside the theater, indicating that the protest did not deter her performance. Griffin has been vocal about the backlash she faced after the controversial photo with the effigy of Trump, leading to public apologies and retractions of those apologies. She has also faced false accusations and threats from Trump supporters, including being erroneously linked to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Despite the challenges, Griffin has continued her tour, performing across the United States and Canada.
Griffin’s tour, titled My Life on the PTSD List, began in Des Moines, Iowa, and has included stops in various U.S. states and Canada. The tour has been met with both support and opposition, particularly from Trump supporters who have criticized Griffin for her outspoken views on the former president. Despite facing backlash and threats, Griffin remains determined to continue her comedy career and engage with her audience. Newsweek has reached out to representatives of Griffin and the America First Warehouse for comment on the recent protests and backlash. Griffin’s experiences highlight the challenges faced by public figures with controversial views in an increasingly polarized political climate.