Joan Rivers. (REUTERS FILE)

LOS ANGELES - Joan Rivers blasted retailer Costco following her protest at a Burbank, Calif. store on Tuesday night, likening the company to the Nazi party for not carrying her new book “I Hate Everyone ... Starting With Me.”

Rivers caused a commotion at the Burbank Costco by chaining herself to a shopping cart and ranting into a bullhorn. Burbank police were called to the scene, and Rivers eventually left.

After the protest, Rivers - who says that Costco refuses to carry her book because of a vulgarity on the back cover - told TV station KTLA that the company’s decision was akin to “the beginning of Nazi Germany.”

“It’s about First Amendment rights,” the 79-year-old Rivers insisted. “Costco banned my book because of one word on the back cover. I feel this is a country where people should have the right to have the literature they want. This is the beginning of Nazi Germany.”

For what it’s worth, Rivers has been known to erroneously claim banishment in the past. Last January, she claimed to have been banned from Fox News after criticizing former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin. Fox explained that Rivers’ appearance was mistakenly canceled, and that the network was attempting to book her on an upcoming show.

Costco has not yet responded to TheWrap’s request for comment.