CNN officially announced Friday that it is firing Iranian-American author, producer and host Reza Aslan just weeks following the firing of comedian Kathy Griffin.

“CNN has decided to not move forward with production on the acquired series ‘Believer with Reza Aslan,’” CNN said in a statement. “We wish Reza and his production team all the best.”

“’Believer’ means a great deal to me and to the countless viewers it’s reached,” Aslan said in his own statement on Twitter. “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.”

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“However, in these politically charged times, the tenor of our nation’s discourse has become complicated, and I recognized that CNN needs to protect its brand as an unbiased outlet. Similarly, I need to honor my voice,” he continued. “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 and to continue to spread my message. I wish CNN all the best.”

The internet was furious as CNN is being seen as taking things too far and being hypocritical when it comes to conservative commentators like Jeffrey Lord, Kayleigh McEnany and former Rep. Jack Kingston (R-GA), all of whom have made inappropriate comments in the past and maintained their positions at CNN.

Check out the harsh reaction to CNN below:

CNN keeps firing people for insulting Trump, but still pays Jeffrey Lord, others to defame entire groups (& only sometimes get corrected). https://t.co/pjfS8JhJlV

— Mike Signorile (@MSignorile) June 9, 2017

CNN is petrified of being labeled "liberal" and that's how they make decisions.

— Michael Demmons (@mldemmons) June 9, 2017

And yet CNN continues to pay Kayleigh McEnany and Jeffrey Lord to lie on camera on a daily basis.

— Eric Stoltz (@ericmstoltz) June 9, 2017

The @CNN program director who allows Jeffrey Lord to keep his job but fired Reza Aslan for anti-Trump tweets. pic.twitter.com/HDnyCeAHMY

— Trump's not my Pres (@Nysteveo2AOLcom) June 9, 2017

Jeffry Lord has called Obama far worse than that…

— Evan Layton (@ImaDisneyDork) June 9, 2017

So @CNN fires @rezaaslan for speaking an obvious truth, but Lord is allowed to continue to spew his nonsense? Got it.

— Dave Miller (@ChiSoxDave) June 9, 2017

? But you keep Kayleigh, Jeffrey Lord & other @POTUS supported who denigrate anyone & everyone but @POTUS #LiarInChief. @donlemon why?

— John Teal (@Suprmanj) June 9, 2017

Yet they employ that CREEP Jeffrey Lord? And Lewanduski, who assaults women? @rezaaslan got screwed. #TrumpISaPOS #CNNIsPieceOfShit https://t.co/M2Uu9Uz63m

— Karah Bussey (@KarahBussey) June 9, 2017

@CNN fired Reza Aslan for telling the truth but paid Corey Lewandowski and Jeffrey Lord to lie for Trump.

— Tabitha (@NotYourFool81) June 9, 2017

So who was the piece of shit over at @CNN who fired @rezaaslan? Does Jeffrey Lord still have a job? https://t.co/yk2yM6TRWI

— Problem Child (@Adamtheactivist) June 9, 2017

Zucker keeps DJT comrades like Jeffery Lord on because he has admitted he's more interested in "entertainment" than news. CNN shame on you.

— Mavs Fan (@DefeatTheHeat) June 9, 2017

Jeffrey Lord gets an eyeroll for routinely spouting utter nonsense–and later an apology even for that. Reza Aslan gets fired for one word.

— David Burr Gerrard (@DBGerrard) June 9, 2017

Jeffrey Lord: To say that we have a… ”Muslim problem" is not to say anything outrageous. It's a simple statement of fact.

— スコット (@y2skt7) June 9, 2017

@CNN You're dumping Reza Aslan while still keeping on Jeffrey Lord and Corey Lewandowski? Yeah, you lost the moral high ground.

— (((Daniel Ben-Zvi))) (@DanBenZvi) June 9, 2017

Corey Lewandowski is cool though, right?

— Maren Nicholson (@MissMaren5) June 9, 2017

Is the the same CNN who hired Corey Lewandowski after he assaulted a reporter?

— Kevin Weaver (@kpweaver27) June 9, 2017

So CNN has canceled Reza Aslan's show b/c he tweeted that Trump is a "piece of shit," but hired Corey Lewandowski AFTER he assaulted someone

— Melissa McEwan (@Shakestweetz) June 9, 2017

but Jeffrey Lords's racism is okay? Corey Lewandoski abuse is okay? Are you the Trump News Network now?

— Melissa Byrne (@mcbyrne) June 9, 2017

Hey Brian, does the network have any comment regarding why they hired Corey Lewandowski after he assaulted a reporter?

— Conor Dirks (@ConorDDirks) June 9, 2017

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Raw Story is independent. You won’t find mainstream media bias here. We’re not part of a conglomerate, or a project of venture capital bros. From unflinching coverage of racism, to revealing efforts to erode our rights, Raw Story will continue to expose hypocrisy and harm. Unhinged from corporate overlords, we fight to ensure no one is forgotten.

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