CNN Ousted 'Believer' Host Reza Aslan For Calling Trump 'A Piece Of S--T' In A Tweet

CNN has decided to discontinue its documentary series called the “Believer” by canceling the second season of the show, following an indecent tweet about President Donald Trump by the show’s host Reza Aslan, a statement from the network said.

In his tweet, Aslan called Trump a “piece of s--t”. However, the tweet was later deleted.

“This piece of s--t is not just an embarrassment to America and a stain on the presidency. He’s an embarrassment to humankind,” Aslan tweeted last week. He was sharply criticized on social media and elsewhere. for his remark.

According to CNN’s statement Friday it said the network “has decided to not move forward with production on the acquired series Believer with Reza Aslan. We wish Reza and his production team all the best.”

Read: Melania Trump Says Kathy Griffin's Beheaded Donald Trump Photo Was 'Disturbing'

Aslan posted the tweet on June 3, after Trump promoted his renewed travel ban while condemning a terrorist attack in London.

CNN decided to cut off its ties with the host even after he issued an apology for his comment. Aslan said he “lost his cool” and responded in a “derogatory fashion.”

“I should have used better language to express my shock and frustration at the president's lack of decorum and sympathy for the victims of London,” Aslan's statement read. “I apologize for my choice of words.”

CNN responded to his apology in a statement saying: “We are pleased that he has apologized for his tweets. That kind of discourse is never appropriate.” The network also clarified in its statement stating Aslan was not a CNN employee and they had signed a contract with his production company for the show.

The docu-series “Believer” premiered in March 2017 and it showcased various religions and customs preached and followed throughout the world. CNN said the second season of the show was announced in May and its production had already begun.

Aslan issued a statement after he heard the news of the show’s cancellation. Read his full statement here.

“Obviously I am very disappointed in this decision. Believer means a great deal to me and to the countless viewers it's reached. Its message of religious tolerance and exploration is extremely important right now. I am deeply grateful to CNN for giving me the opportunity to launch the show and to amplify my voice on their network. I am especially grateful to the legion of people within the Turner organization who worked so hard to make the show a hit series.

However, 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. Similarly, I need to honor my voice. I am not a journalist. I am a social commentator and scholar. And so I agree with CNN that it is best that we part ways. I look forward to partnering with another platform in the future to continue to spread my message. I wish CNN all the best.”

Read: Twitter Reacts To Kathy Griffin Beheading Donald Trump In Graphic Picture

This is not the only recent incident in which CNN cut ties with its hosts. Last week, the network announced that it parted ways from comedian Kathy Griffin after she posted a photo on Twitter, showing her posing with a fake decapitated head of Trump last month.

Griffin was highly criticized for her actions though she apologized later in a video saying, “I crossed the line… I went way too far.”

“I sincerely apologize. I am just now seeing the reaction of these images,” Griffin said in her apology video.

“I crossed the line…. I went way too far,” Griffin said. “The image is too disturbing. I understand how it offends people…I get it,” she added