Joan Rivers on Obama ‘tranny’ joke: ‘I think it’s a compliment’

Joan Rivers has issued a statement responding to the controversy caused by her recent joke about Michelle and Barack Obama.

Earlier this week, during an impromptu interview by a reporter on the street in New York, the notoriously controversial comedian said that US president Barack Obama is gay, and his wife Michelle is transgender.

After her comments were criticised by some commentators for being offensive and possibly transphobic, the 81-year-old issued a statement to CNN, in which she insisted that what she said was meant as a compliment – and then managed to sneak in a cheeky plug for her new book My Life As a Mad Diva.

Read the full statement below.

“I think it’s a compliment. She’s so attractive, tall, with a beautiful body, great face, does great makeup. Take a look and go back to La Cage Au Follies (sic). The most gorgeous women are transgender. Stop it already, and if you want to talk about ‘politically correct,’ I think this is a ‘politically incorrect’ attack on me because I’m old, Jewish, a woman and a ‘hetty’ – a heterosexual, and I plan to sue the reporter who, when he turned off his camera, tried to touch me inappropriately on the ass – luckily he hit my ankle. Read the book … if you think that’s silly, wait till you see what I say about FDR and Eleanor!”

The notoriously controversial comedian has since hit the headlines again by storming off set during a live interview on CNN yesterday (July 5) – watch a video of the heated incident here.

Meanwhile, earlier this week the Fashion Police star officiated a surprise gay wedding at a book signing in New York City – click here to watch a video of the Rivers-helmed ceremony.