Kathy Griffin isn't part of the media.  She's part of the looney wing of the entertainment sector....much like Ted Nugent.

As far as the viciousness directed at Trump...no, it isn't unprecedented.  A large segment of the GOP base still thinks Obama is a Muslim born in Kenya (never mind the fact that there is no ban on Muslims being president, and he'd still be a naturally born citizen even if born in Kenya, since his mom was a US citizen).  No one denies Trump's citizenship.