CNN’s Chris Cuomo Reportedly Participated in Strategy Calls With Brother Andrew About Sex Allegations, Urged Him Not to Resign
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
CNN anchor Chris Cuomo advised his brother Andrew Cuomo, the governor of New York, on how to respond to sexual harassment allegations against him, urging him to take a defiant stand and refuse to resign, according to a Washington Post report.
“Cuomo, one of the network’s top stars, joined a series of conference calls that included the Democratic governor’s top aide, his communications team, lawyers and a number of outside advisers, according to the people familiar with the conversations, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe the private sessions,” the Post’s Josh Dawsey and Sarah Ellison reported Thursday.
“The behind-the scenes strategy … cuts against the widely accepted norm in journalism that those reporting the news should not be involved in politics,” the reporters added.
According to the Post, Chris Cuomo urged his brother to take a “defiant position,” reportedly using the phrase “cancel culture” as a reason to “hold firm in the face of the allegations” and refuse to resign.
The calls occurred earlier this year, as Governor Cuomo faced an increasing number of claims by current and former aides and staffers that he acted inappropriately, with behavior that ranged from sexual misconduct to harassment.
In a statement to the Mediaite that matched the one provided to the Post, CNN said that “Chris has not been involved in CNN’s extensive coverage of the allegations against Governor Cuomo – on-air or behind the scenes. In part because, as he has said on his show, he could never be objective. But also because he often serves as a sounding board for his brother.”
“However, it was inappropriate to engage in conversations that included members of the Governor’s staff, which Chris acknowledges,” the statement continued. “He will not participate in such conversations going forward.”
Chris Cuomo has faced criticism for not covering scandals involving his brother, including the sexual misconduct allegations as well as accusations that the governor mishandled the coronavirus in nursing homes in the early days of the pandemic.
President Joe Biden has said that Cuomo should resign if the harassment allegations are confirmed.
