As more and more women came forward with disgusting allegations of sexual harassment against Democratic New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, the more it seemed as though the broadcast networks were getting tired of covering it. Thus was the case during Tuesday’s evening newscasts when ABC, CBS, and NBC ignored a claim from former aide and Cuomo accuser, Karen Hinton about how the Governor allegedly hugged her while aroused.
Instead of reporting on the allegations against Cuomo, ABC’s World News Tonight talked about the weather, the CBS Evening News deflected the reason for rising gas prices away from President Biden’s policies, and NBC Nightly News speculated about the future of travel post-COVID.
Meanwhile, on Fox News Channel’s Special Report, they were still covering the salacious story. “The sorted details of the sexual harassment and assault allegations against New York Governor Andrew Cuomo are coming to light tonight and one alleged victim is offering a graphic account,” anchor Bret Baier announced to viewers.
Correspondent Bryan Llenas, who's been on the story since the beginning, kicked off his report with soundbites of two of Cuomo’s latest accusers, Hinton and Ana Liss:
LISS: There was a lot of vitriolic screaming, shouting, name-calling, a feeling of objectification as a young woman.
LLENAS: That is former aide Ana Liss detailing a toxic work environment under Governor Andrew Cuomo. Liss and Karen Hinton, another former aide, are speaking out about their sexual harassment allegations.
HINTON: Governor Cuomo used flirting as a way to bring a woman employee into the fold. [Transition] And he approached me, embraced me too tightly, too long, and was aroused.
And as a recent NewsBusters study previously reported, the broadcast networks were also trying to give Cuomo’s coronavirus scandals a wide berth. So, it was no surprise when ABC and NBC refused to report how New York’s so-called “vaccine czar” was pressuring county executives to be loyal to the Governor.
“And tonight, there's also controversy over the state's vaccines tsar who reportedly made calls to other state officials to try to garner support for Governor Cuomo,” reported CBS correspondent Jericka Duncan on Monday.
Llenas also reported the story on Tuesday, with an update. “In a letter to Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, Republican state senators are urging the federal government to take control of New York’s vaccine distribution program after reports surfaced that the state’s vaccine tsar Larry Schwartz was calling county executives to gauge their loyalty to Cuomo. Schwartz denies allegations of wrongdoing,” he said.
The networks were also careful when it came to Biden’s initial silence on the allegations and his eventual weak calls for an investigation. But Llenas wasn’t beholden to the White House like they were:
LLENAS: Today, Cuomo participated in a White House conference call coordinating COVID-19 response. Despite the latest accusations, the administration confirming this week they would continue to work with him on the COVID response.
PSAKI: There are a number of checks in the system. [Transition] We will continue to work with a range of governors including Governor Cuomo.
Cuomo’s alleged sexual misconduct and failed pandemic leadership had become a minefield for the liberal media.
The refusal of the broadcast networks to cover these addition allegations against Governor Cuomo was made possible because of lucrative sponsorships from Febreze on ABC, Consumer Cellular on CBS, and Swiffer on NBC. Their contact information is linked so you can tell them about the biased news they fund.
The transcript is below, click "expand" to read:
Fox News Channel’s Special Report
March 16, 2021
6:18:32 p.m. EasternBRET BAIER: The sorted details of the sexual harassment and assault allegations against New York Governor Andrew Cuomo are coming to light tonight and one alleged victim is offering a graphic account. Correspondent Bryan Llenas the following story from Brooklyn.
[Cuts to video]
ANA LISS: There was a lot of vitriolic screaming, shouting, name-calling, a feeling of objectification as a young woman.
BRYAN LLENAS: That is former aide Ana Liss detailing a toxic work environment under Governor Andrew Cuomo. Liss and Karen Hinton, another former aide, are speaking out about their sexual harassment allegations.
KAREN HINTON: Governor Cuomo used flirting as a way to bring a woman employee into the fold. [Transition] And he approached me, embraced me too tightly, too long, and was aroused.
LLENAS: Independent investigators for the state attorney general’s office have begun interviewing Cuomo’s accusers amid new ethical concerns.
In a letter to Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, Republican state senators are urging the federal government to take control of New York’s vaccine distribution program after reports surfaced that the state’s vaccine tsar Larry Schwartz was calling county executives to gauge their loyalty to Cuomo. Schwartz denies allegations of wrongdoing.
The letter reading in part: "We are now witnessing an administration that has become so arrogant and reckless that it now poses a very real danger to the public health of New Yorkers.”
Today, Cuomo participated in a White House conference call coordinating COVID-19 response. Despite the latest accusations, the administration confirming this week they would continue to work with him on the COVID response.
JEN PSAKI: There are a number of checks in the system. [Transition] We will continue to work with a range of governors including Governor Cuomo.
LLENAS: On Sunday, The New York Times editorial board declared: “The governor has jeopardized the public's trust at the worst possible moment. It is hard to see how Mr. Cuomo can continue to do the public’s important business without political allies or public confidence.”
But state Republicans are skeptical that Cuomo will resign.
NICK LANGWORTHY (NY GOP State Committee Chair): Could it be any more clear that this governor is going nowhere?
[Cuts back to live]
LLENAS: New York's Democratic assembly speaker insists the impeachment investigation into Cuomo will be very broad and move expeditiously. Still, no timetable has been given and they have yet to announce the law firm that will be assisting in the inquiry. Bret.
BAIER: Bryan Llenas in Brooklyn. Brian, thank you.
