ABC News is embarrassed. The network is desperately trying to hide the fact that former Good Morning America co-host Chris Cuomo was deeply involved in the attempt to downplay, dismiss, and investigate women who accused his brother, ex-New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, of sexual abuse.
CBS, by contrast, finally discovered the shocking evidence against Chris after ignoring the story on Monday. Refreshingly, NBC covered the story extensively.
On Monday, ABC completely avoided the younger Cuomo’s role in the growing scandal, instead focusing entirely on the disgraced Andrew Cuomo. On Tuesday, Good Morning America journalists finally got around to talking about their former co-host. But only for 28 seconds.
In a story on the ex-New York Governor, GMA reporter Trevor Ault’s allowed less than half a minute in a three minute and five second segment on Andrew Cuomo. It should also be pointed out, GMA itself is two hours long.
This morning, newly released text messages reveal new details into how his brother, CNN host Chris Cuomo, played an active role in advising the former governor's response, helping write statements and using his sources to get information about accusers. CNN saying they'll review the newly released materials and that, quote, “We will be having conversations and seeking additional clarity about their significance as they relate to CNN over the next several days.”
CBS Evening News on Monday night avoided the Cuomo brothers entirely. On Tuesday, CBS Mornings finally got to both the allegations against Andrew and Chris Cuomo. In a two minute and 20 second segment, correspondent Jericka Duncan revealed how Chris Cuomo even tried to gain intel on a then-upcoming CBS Evening News interview anchor Norah O’Donnell secured with an accuser of the governor:
Text messages reveal [Chris Cuomo] was often in contact with his brother's top aide Melissa DeRosa. In one, he begs to help the governor’s prep for responses and in another he says he will use his sources to find out about possible new accusers coming forward. An e-mail from CBS News regarding Norah O’Donnell’s interview with Andrew Cuomo’s former assistant executive was even forwarded to Chris Cuomo for his thoughts on the then-upcoming story. CNN has said it is now looking into the new documents and will seek additional clarity about their significance as they relate to CNN over the next several days.
NBC, unlike the other two networks, offered hard-hitting coverage, seriously reporting on the story Monday night and again on Tuesday morning. On Tuesday’s Today, co-host Hota Kotb even discussed a potential firing of Chris Cuomo from CNN: “CNN's Chris Cuomo, under fire yet again for his role in helping his brother's defense. Will it cost the anchor his job?”
NBC reporter Anne Thompson pointed out how Chris Cuomo avoided the topic on his CNN show:
CNN's anchor in the hot seat this morning. Text messages between Chris Cuomo and his brother's top aides show Chris offering to use his media sources to get intel to help defend his brother. The documents also revealing the younger Cuomo wrote statements on the then-governor's behalf. CNN is now conducting a review of the trove of messages. It was business as usual on CNN Monday night for Chris Cuomo.
Network hosts and reporters should be disgusted by a fellow journalist's alleged attempt to undermine women coming forward about sexual abuse. But it seems like ABC's focus is on ignoring Chris Cuomo's former connection to the network.
The attempt to bury the accusations against a former host on ABC was sponsored by Colgate. CBS’s scant coverage was sponsored by Progressive Insurance. Click on the links to let them know what you think.
Partial transcripts are below. Click “expand” to read more.
CBS Mornings
11/30/2021
7:11 AMGAYLE KING: We are learning new details this morning about the sexual harassment investigation that led to the resignation of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. The information is also raising some fresh questions about the role of the former Governor’s brother, that’s CNN anchor Chris Cuomo in defending him. Our national correspondent Jericka Duncan has been following that story and joins us in the studio with the latest. Good morning, Jericka.
JERICKA DUNCAN: Good morning, Gayle. The New York Attorney General released almost nine hours of video footage of Andrew Cuomo’s testimony in July where he repeatedly, and at times combatively, denied claims of sexual harassment. Six of his accusers’ video testimony was also released. They detail Cuomo’s alleged misconduct. The release also included new written testimony and evidence about the ex-governor’s brother, CNN anchor Chris Cuomo. Transcripts show the younger Cuomo was more directly involved than previously known about and how the governor should respond to the allegations and the crisis swirling around him. Chris Cuomo said this on his CNN program in August after the Governor's resignation.
CHRIS CUOMO: I'm not an advisor, I'm a brother. I wasn't in control of anything. I was there to listen and offer my take. And my advice to my brother —
DUNCAN: But text messages reveal he was often in contact with his brother's top aide Melissa DeRosa. In one, he begs to help the governor’s prep for responses and in another he says he will use his sources to find out about possible new accusers coming forward. An e-mail from CBS News regarding Norah O’Donnell’s interview with Andrew Cuomo’s former assistant executive was even forwarded to Chris Cuomo for his thoughts on the then-upcoming story. CNN has said it is now looking into the new documents and will seek additional clarity about their significance as they relate to CNN over the next several days. An attorney for Chris Cuomo told CBS News that he was honest with investigators and Andrew Cuomo denies any wrongdoing. In a statement, his spokesperson said the Attorney General, who is now a candidate for governor here in New York State, released the edited video of testimony to damage political opponents. A lot to be said here. Tony?
TONY DOKOUPIL: A lot going on. The plot thickens and deepens. We’ll keep following it, Jericka. Thank you very much.
Today
11/30/2021
7:08 AM ETHODA KOTB: CNN's Chris Cuomo, under fire yet again for his role in helping his brother's defense. Will it cost the anchor his job?
...
ANNE THOMPSON: CNN's anchor in the hot seat this morning. Text messages between Chris Cuomo and his brother's top aides show Chris offering to use his media sources to get intel to help defend his brother. The documents also revealing the younger Cuomo wrote statements on the then-governor's behalf. CNN is now conducting a review of the trove of messages. It was business as usual on CNN Monday night for Chris Cuomo.
Good Morning America
11/30/2021
7:09 AM ETTREVOR AULT: And this morning, newly released text messages reveal new details into how his brother, CNN host Chris Cuomo, played an active role in advising the former governor's response, helping write statements and using his sources to get information about accusers. CNN saying they'll review the newly released materials and that, quote, “we will be having conversations and seeking additional clarity about their significance as they relate to CNN over the next several days.”
