On Tuesday, New York Attorney General Letitia James (D) released a damning investigative report into New York Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo’s criminal sexual misconduct. As part of that report, the AG disclosed how CNN’s host Chris Cuomo was part of Andrew’s damage control sessions, advising his brother, writing his official statements, and telling him to blame “cancel culture” for the allegations. But during that night’s Cuomo Prime Time, Chris refused to address his role in the scandal.
Now, Chris might claim that he wasn’t going to talk about his brother’s scandal because he was not allowed to since it was part of CNN’s conveniently reinstated policy earlier this year. But back on May 20, when reports first broke that he had a hand in the Governor’s defense, he did address it and argued that he would put his family before everything:
Now, today there are stories out there about me offering my brother advice. Of course, I do. This is no revelation. I have said it publicly and I certainly have never hidden it. I can be objective about just about any topic. But not about my family. Those of you who watch this show get it. Like you, I bet, my family means everything to me. And I am fiercely loyal to them. I am family first, job second.
As the AG report exposed, Chris had sent an e-mail on February 28 to Andrew’s public relations and legal defense teams with suggestions for what should be used in an official statement, of which large parts were utilized. It was on March 1, the next day, that he told his viewers that he would not be reporting on his brother’s scandals.
“Obviously, I am aware of what is going on with my brother. And obviously, I cannot cover it because he is my brother,” he said at the time. “Now, of course, CNN has to cover it. They have covered it extensively and they will continue to do so. I have always cared very deeply about these issues and profoundly so. I just wanted to tell you that.”
According to the AG report, “During his testimony, Chris Cuomo explained that there was discussion about remedial measures the Chamber should take in light of the sexual harassment allegations, but some people had taken the position that ‘they should just wait.’”
Investigators also found that Chris was getting access to “confidential and often privileged information about state operations and helped make decisions that impacted State business and employees—all without any formal role, duty, or obligation to the State.”
Chris ignored the largest news story of the day for the entire show, but immediately after the handoff, Don Lemon dove right into Andrew’s scandal and President Biden calling on him to resign. He might want to ignore his role in the scandal, but there were calls for him to resign or lose his job from across the political spectrum.
Unbelievable: Immediately after the handoff from Cuomo Prime Time, Don Lemon jumped right into the Cuomo scandal and Biden calling on him to resign. This is CNN. pic.twitter.com/sVVxo3EIEj
— Nicholas Fondacaro (@NickFondacaro) August 4, 2021
Over on MSNBC, columnist Laura Bassett, who got Chris Matthews canned for sexual harassment, wrote a piece titled: “Biden calls on Andrew Cuomo to resign. He's not the only Cuomo who needs to go.”
“New Yorkers deserve better than a lying, harassing, misogynistic creep presiding over the state. And CNN’s viewers deserve better than a news anchor who is working on behalf of a politician he covers and helps to manipulate public opinion of him,” she wrote. “Both Cuomo brothers have amassed massive power and influence, while betraying public trust. And both brothers must go.”
CNN has not responded to NewsBusters’ request for comment.
Chris Cuomo’s blackout of his brother’s scandal and obfuscation of his role in the scandal were possible because of lucrative sponsorships from Bath Fitter, Planters, and SimpliSafe. Their contact information is linked so you can tell them about the biased news they fund.
