Reza Aslan says he is “very disappointed” CNN has chosen to cancel his series, Believer. (TVNewser)
The move came after the Iranian-American author characterized President Trump as a “piece of shit” on Twitter. Aslan’s tweet was in response to a tweet in which the president asserted the recent terrorist attacks in London were an example of why his Muslim travel ban is needed. (THR)
Aslan said he understands why CNN had to let him go. “In these politically charged times, the tenor of our nation’s discourse has become complicated, and I recognize that CNN needs to protect its brand as an unbiased news outlet,” he wrote in a statement on Twitter. He went to say he needs to “honor my voice.” He said he agrees with CNN that they should part ways because, “I am not a journalist. I am a social commentator and scholar.” (Mashable)
CNN’s split with Aslan came a week after the network cut ties with Kathy Griffin, after she posted a photo showing her holding a prop designed to look like Trump’s bloodied, severed head. (HuffPost)