The breaking news that CNN finally was embarrassed enough and pulled the trigger and suspend Prime Time host Chris Cuomo indefinitely, seemed to catch the broadcast networks off guard as they scrambled to cobble together news briefs Tuesday evening. With the news breaking some ten minutes before they went live, the briefs were so hastily put together that they left out many of the details of his inexcusable breaches of journalistic ethics.
Cuomo was suspended after newly released investigative documents by the New York State attorney general exposed how he abused his resources as s journalist to benefit his brother, disgraced former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo who was facing multiple sexual misconduct allegations.
After ignoring Chris’s involvement in the scandal Monday night and dancing around it Tuesday morning, ABC News finally admitted that their former Good Morning America co-host did something wrong enough to be finally taken off to TV (at least for now).
“And after following the case of former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, tonight the breaking news involving his brother, CNN anchor Chris Cuomo,” teased ABC World News Tonight anchor David Muir at the top of the newscast.
Following a commercial break and another tease, Muir delivered this 22-second-long news brief:
There is late word tonight CNN anchor Chris Cuomo has been suspended indefinitely by CNN. The Cable News Network taking action following newly released details about the New York attorney general's sexual harassment investigation into Chris Cuomo’s brother, former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. The newly released evidence shows more of Chris Cuomo's involvement in his brother’s defense that it was more extensive than first known.
Over on CBS Evening News, anchor Norah O’Donnell spent 33 seconds on Cuomo’s suspension:
And there is some breaking news that is just coming in tonight. CNN anchor Chris Cuomo has been suspended indefinitely pending an investigation into his involvement in the defense of his brother, then-New York governor Andrew Cuomo. Andrew Cuomo was forced to resign because of multiple sexual misconduct allegations and Cuomo’s suspension comes a day after explosive documents released by New York's attorney general revealed he was more involved than previously known. In a statement tonight, CNN says his involvement raises serious questions.
This was better than Monday when she ignored the document dump altogether, including the Andrew parts.
On Tuesday’s CBS Mornings, correspond Jericka Duncan shared Cuomo’s unethical actions with viewers. “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,” she reported.
NBC continued their streak of covering Cuomo’s journalistic misconduct with Nightly News anchor Lester Holt delivering the breaking news.
“Just in, CNN has suspended anchor Chris Cuomo indefinitely, the network citing new evidence from the New York State attorney general that suggests, quote, ‘a greater level of involvement in defending his brother,’ former New York governor Andrew Cuomo, from sexual harassment allegations. CNN says Chris Cuomo is suspended ‘pending further evaluation,’” he said in 21 seconds.
The transcripts are below, click "expand" to read:
ABC’s World News Tonight
November 30, 2021
6:31:58 p.m. [TEASE]
DAVID MUIR: And after following the case of former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, tonight the breaking news involving his brother, CNN anchor Chris Cuomo.
(...)
6:45:49 p.m. [TEASE]
MUIR: When we come back here on a busy night, we’ve been following the investigation involving former New York governor Andrew Cuomo. Tonight, the news now coming in on his brother, CNN anchor Chris Cuomo.
(...)
6:47:34 p.m.
[ON-SCREEN HEADLINE: Chris Cuomo Suspended]
MUIR: There is late word tonight CNN anchor Chris Cuomo has been suspended indefinitely by CNN. The Cable News Network taking action following newly released details about the New York attorney general's sexual harassment investigation into Chris Cuomo’s brother, former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. The newly released evidence shows more of Chris Cuomo's involvement in his brother’s defense that it was more extensive than first known.
CBS Evening News
November 30, 2021
6:39:04 p.m. Eastern[ON-SCREEN HEADLINE: Suspended Indefinitely]
[ON-SCREEN HEADLINE: Breaking News; CNN Suspends Anchor Chris Cuomo]
NORAH O’DONNELL: And there is some breaking news that is just coming in tonight. CNN anchor Chris Cuomo has been suspended indefinitely pending an investigation into his involvement in the defense of his brother, then-New York governor Andrew Cuomo. Andrew Cuomo was forced to resign because of multiple sexual misconduct allegations and Cuomo’s suspension comes a day after explosive documents released by New York's attorney general revealed he was more involved than previously known. In a statement tonight, CNN says his involvement raises serious questions.
NBC Nightly News
November 30, 2021
7:12:36 p.m. Eastern[ON-SCREEN HEADLINE: CNN Suspends Chris Cuomo Indefinitely]
LESTER HOLT: Just in, CNN has suspended anchor Chris Cuomo indefinitely, the network citing new evidence from the New York State attorney general that suggests, quote, “a greater level of involvement in defending his brother,” former New York governor Andrew Cuomo, from sexual harassment allegations. CNN says Chris Cuomo is suspended “pending further evaluation.”
