CNN’s Cuomo Conundrum: A Star Anchor with a Brother in Trouble

Earlier this year, CNN executives presented an idea to their star host Chris Cuomo. If he wanted to formally advise his brother, New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, on responding to the sexual harassment accusations that have shaken his administration, he could take temporary leave from CNN and then return to the networks.

The idea was informal and strictly optional—not a request—and designed as an acknowledgment of Mr. Cuomo’s unique position as both a prime-time network host and a scandalous sibling to a prominent politician, according to two people who spoke on the matter. . Anonymity status to identify internal conversations.

The previously unreported change highlights the enigma of how much effort Jeff Zucker and his team put in, head of CNN and a news network whose top-rated anchor belongs to one of the nation’s most powerful Democratic families. Chris Cuomo, even as an anchor had to apologize For attending strategy sessions with Andrew Cuomo’s associates.

The idea of ​​a possible leave arose after Chris Cuomo attended these sessions. first reported in May. CNN called the presenter’s actions “inappropriate,” despite the fact that Chris Cuomo faced no discipline.

A more detailed account It emerged in a report by New York State Attorney General Letitia James on Tuesday that put Governor Cuomo’s career in crisis and sparked a series of calls for his resignation.

Chris Cuomo told CNN management that he plans to continue his program and abide by rules that prevent his brother from commenting on the scandal. He also promised that he would not discuss Andrew Cuomo’s strategic response to the scandal with any government officials other than the governor himself.

On Tuesday, hours after the release of Ms. James’s report, Chris Cuomo was presenter on his 9pm show “Cuomo Prime Time”. It started with a section on the coronavirus by posting a clip of President Biden asking governors to help stop the spread of the Delta variant.

The clip omits Mr. Biden’s other notable phrase: He calls on Governor Cuomo to resign.

For the next 60 minutes, Chris Cuomo, interviewed by Ms. James’s office during the investigation, did not mention his brother or the attorney general’s report. This was in keeping with the hoe’s promise not to cover up his brother’s pains. But viewers may have found it shocking that the biggest political story in the country, otherwise covered by CNN throughout the day, suddenly disappeared at 9 p.m., the network’s highest-rated timeslot.

Chris Cuomo’s on-air presence was a clear sign that Mr. Zucker was behind the network’s 9 p.m. news anchor, and in May he told viewers that although he had made a “mistake” by speaking to his brother’s aides, his loyalty would always be there. “First family, then work”.

CNN declined to comment on Chris Cuomo’s cameo in the attorney general’s report, instead citing statements released by the network in May. This statement admitted that the anchor “could never be objective” and “usually acted as a sounding board for his brother”. He also said it was “inappropriate” for him to “enter conversations involving members of the governor’s staff”.

In exclusive interviews this week, some CNN journalists expressed their dismay at Chris Cuomo’s failure to cover the story on Tuesday’s show. Some argued that CNN should discipline him, according to the few people with knowledge of the internal debates.

These in-house critics would not speak on record for fear of angering management. In May, presenter Jake Tapper told The New York Times that Chris Cuomo’s relationship with Governor Cuomo’s aides “puts us in a bad spot,” and he said, “I can’t imagine a world in journalism where anyone would think this is appropriate.”

Mr Tapper said, “I totally understand Chris’s love for his brother and I have a brother and I understand that, but it was not a fun day.” he said then.

Chris Cuomo is a veteran TV journalist whose tenure at ABC News has covered war news from Iraq and Afghanistan. Mr. Zucker caught her to co-host CNN’s morning show “New Day” in 2013. It went into prime time in 2018 and hosted an hour of news and commentary with provocative interviews and colorful monologues.

The code of ethics for cable news commentators may be laxer than for journalists, but MSNBC stopped paying historian Jon Meacham last year. helped write the speeches For the Biden campaign, Fox News’ prime-time hosts routinely advised Donald J. Trump during his presidency—Sean Hannity even appeared at a Trump campaign rally—but Mr. Zucker frequently called Fox News for allowing these practices. harshly criticized.

On CNN, Chris Cuomo rarely interviewed his brother. a handful exceptions in 2013 He was denounced by media critics, including an incident in which Andrew Cuomo was included in People magazine’s “Sexiest Man Alive” list.

But the governor became a fixture of “Cuomo Prime Time” at the start of the pandemic last year, following Chris Cuomo. coronavirus test positive. Filled with family memories and fraternal mockery, these interviews attracted a large audience and helped to polish Andrew Cuomo’s national image; Mr. Zucker praised the episodes In an interview with The Times for their “authenticity, relevance, and vulnerability.”

Andrew Cuomo soon faced criticism over New York State’s response to the coronavirus. Turns out it was Chris Cuomo too. received exclusive access to government-run testing facilities, including a police escort for test samples, while they fight the virus. (CNN at the time said that Chris Cuomo “turned to anyone he could for advice and help, as any human would do.”)

Chris Cuomo is scheduled to take a long planned vacation next week. On Tuesday, “Cuomo Prime Time” became CNN’s most-watched program, attracting 930,000 viewers. As the host was getting ready to sign, the 10:00 PM host Don Lemon gave warm words to his introduction.

“I love you brother,” said Mr. Lemon.

“I love you, D. Lemon,” replied Mr. Cuomo.

Then Mr. Lemon started his program.

“The calls are getting louder and louder,” he told the audience. “This is what I’m talking about: top Democrats from New York to the White House are calling on Governor Andrew Cuomo to resign.”