Chris Cuomo calls CNN suspension 'embarrassing' but says 'I understand it'
CNN anchor Chris Cuomo says he's embarrassed to have been suspended following new revelations about his efforts to help his brother amid a sexual harassment scandal.
Cuomo, the host of Cuomo Prime Time, on his radio show on Wednesday addressed CNN's decision to suspend him from the air, telling listeners, "It hurts to even say it. It's embarrassing, but I understand it, and I understand why some people feel the way they do about what I did."
Cuomo was suspended after the New York attorney general's office released emails that CNN said showed he had a "greater level of involvement" than previously known in defending his brother, former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D), from allegations of sexual harassment. The governor resigned in office due to the allegations, which he denied.
Subscribe to 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.
The network acknowledged in May that it was "inappropriate" for the anchor to advise his brother amid the scandal and participate in "conversations that included members of the governor's staff." At the time, though, CNN declined to discipline him, and the network said Tuesday it "appreciated the unique position he was in and understood his need to put family first and job second."
CNN also said, though, that it wasn't aware of Cuomo's additional involvement until the attorney general's office released the new documents this week. Among the details revealed in the emails was that Cuomo said he would "reach out to" sources amid his brother's harassment scandal to "see if they had heard of anybody else coming out."
On his radio show, Cuomo said that the "last thing I ever wanted to do" was to "compromise any of my colleagues," but he said he wouldn't comment on the situation further in order to "respect" CNN's process. The network said that Cuomo would be suspended "pending further evaluation."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
Trump, Musk sink spending bill, teeing up shutdown
Speed Read House Republicans abandoned the bill at the behest of the two men
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Congress reaches spending deal to avert shutdown
Speed Read The bill would fund the government through March 14, 2025
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Luigi Mangione charged with murder, terrorism
Speed Read Magnione is accused of murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Ex-FBI informant pleads guilty to lying about Bidens
Speed Read Alexander Smirnov claimed that President Joe Biden and his son Hunter were involved in a bribery scheme with Ukrainian energy company Burisma
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
South Korea impeaches president, eyes charges
Speed Read Yoon Suk Yeol faces investigations on potential insurrection and abuse of power charges
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Biden sets new clemency record, hints at more
Speed Read President Joe Biden commuted a record 1,499 sentences and pardoned 39 others convicted of nonviolent crimes
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Mysterious drones roil New Jersey, prompt FBI inquiry
Speed Read State and federal officials are both stumped and concerned
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
South Korean president vows to fight removal
Speed Read Yoon Suk Yeol defended his martial law decree and said he will not step down, despite impeachment efforts
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published