Andrew Cuomo shares bizarre kissing montage in response to sexual harassment report

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) took a very...interesting approach in defending himself on Tuesday following a bombshell report from New York Attorney General Letitia James, which found the governor had sexually harassed multiple women while in office, including several aides and employees.
Most notably, Cuomo shared a rather bizarre montage of him kissing and hugging, well, anyone and everyone (including former President Bill Clinton) over the years. But what was likely an attempt at explaining away his controversial and inappropriate actions as a longstanding habit left some with more questions than answers.
Furthermore, Cuomo used his videotaped response to assert that his "office is a demanding place to work" and "not for everyone," while also noting that "politics is an ugly business" — something MSNBC's Chris Jansing flags as a perhaps concerning line of defense for someone accused of sexual harassment.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Cuomo also in his statement claimed he "never touched anyone inappropriately or made inappropriate sexual advances," per The Wall Street Journal. In addition, the governor released "an 85-page written response," most of which is reportedly "photos of him hugging people and other politicians hugging people."
The AG's report has spurred lawmakers and pundits on both sides of the aisle to issue and renew calls for Cuomo to resign.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brigid Kennedy worked at The Week from 2021 to 2023 as a staff writer, junior editor and then story editor, with an interest in U.S. politics, the economy and the music industry.
-
The pros and cons of buying a new-build house
the explainer Repairs and maintenance will be minimal on a brand new build — but moving into an existing home can be easier upfront
-
Mexico’s forced disappearances
Under the Radar 130,000 people missing as 20-year war on drugs leaves ‘the country’s landscape ever more blood-soaked’
-
The Week contest: Racoon’s regrets
Puzzles and Quizzes
-
Why does Trump keep interfering in the NYC mayoral race?
Today's Big Question The president has seemingly taken an outsized interest in his hometown elections, but are his efforts to block Zohran Mamdani about political expediency or something deeper?
-
House posts lewd Epstein note attributed to Trump
Speed Read The estate of Jeffrey Epstein turned over the infamous 2003 birthday note from President Donald Trump
-
Supreme Court allows 'roving' race-tied ICE raids
Speed Read The court paused a federal judge's order barring agents from detaining suspected undocumented immigrants in LA based on race
-
South Korea to fetch workers detained in Georgia raid
Speed Read More than 300 South Korean workers detained in an immigration raid at a Hyundai plant will be released
-
DC sues Trump to end Guard 'occupation'
Speed Read D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb argues that the unsolicited military presence violates the law
-
RFK Jr. faces bipartisan heat in Senate hearing
Speed Read The health secretary defended his leadership amid CDC turmoil and deflected questions about the restricted availability of vaccines
-
White House defends boat strike as legal doubts mount
Speed Read Experts say there was no legal justification for killing 11 alleged drug-traffickers
-
Epstein accusers urge full file release, hint at own list
speed read A rally was organized by Reps. Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie, who are hoping to force a vote on their Epstein Files Transparency Act