Joan Rivers: Obama is Gay and Michelle is a 'Tranny'

While promoting her new book "Diary of A Mad Diva" last week, Joan Rivers said President Barack Obama is gay and then called First Lady Michelle Obama a "tranny," the New York Daily News reports.

Rivers' remarks were filmed during an on-the-street interview where the 81-year-old comedian was asked about officiating an impromptu same-sex wedding at her New York City book signing last Monday. She was then asked if she thinks the U.S. will ever see a gay president or a woman president.

"We already have it with Obama, so let's just calm down," she answered.

Before walking away from the reporter, Rivers added: "You know Michelle is a tranny." When she was asked to confirm her statement, the TV personality said, "A transgender. We all know. It's OK."

Rivers continued on her controversial book promotion, only confirming that she is one mad diva, over the weekend when a clip of her walking out on a CNN interview went viral.

The interview was taped earlier this week but aired Saturday, starting off normally but quickly went south. CNN's Fredricka Whitfield asked Rivers a number of questions about being the host of E!'s "Fashion Police," which the comedian found to be "negative."

Whitfield said Rivers' fashion comments were "very mean in some ways" but Rivers cut her off saying, "it's not mean, it's not mean, it's not mean. I tell the truth."

"I'm sure I say the same things that all your viewers say to their friends sitting next to them on the couch," she added. "We're one of the few shows that says 'that's an ugly dress.' ... These ladies make $28 million a picture. You really think that Nicki Minaj cares I didn't like her dress?"

Whitfield pressed Rivers about her "shock value," and pointed out Rivers' book cover, in which she wears a fur coat, the New York Daily News points out in a separate article. The CNN anchor added Rivers could come under fire from animal rights activists - but it was that comment that set Rivers off.

"This whole interview is becoming a defensive interview," she said. "Are you wearing leather shoes?" When Whitfield said she was and Rivers told her, "then shut up."

The news anchor said she could wear leather shoes because she's not an animal rights activist, unlike Rivers.

"I don't want to hear this nonsense," Rivers said. "Come to me with a paper belt, and I'll talk to you."

Whitfield tried to continue the interview but Rivers said, "I'm going."

"All you've done is negative," she said. "I've made people laugh for 50 years, I am put on Earth to make people laugh. My book is funny. I wear fur that was killed 15 years ago, I work for animal rights."

Stop it with 'you do this and you're mean'!" Rivers added. "You are not the one to interview a person who does humor! Sorry!"

Rivers then stormed off set, leaving Whitfield saying, "Are we serious?"

After the segment, Whitfield admitted she thought the Rivers leaving was a joke -until she didn't come back.

Watch the both clips below: