WATCH: Chris Cuomo Issues An On-Air Apology For Advising His Brother On Sexual Harassment Allegations
On Thursday night, CNN host Chris Cuomo dedicated a short segment on “Cuomo Prime Time” to apologize for advising his brother, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, on sexual harassment allegations made by a number of former staffers.
“If you would, allow me a moment. If you’ll remember, I told you back in the beginning of March, I can’t cover my brother’s troubles. It wouldn’t be fair. And you got it then, and I appreciate you understanding. Now today, there are stories out there about me offering my brother advice. Of course I do. This is no revelation,” he explained. “I’ve said it publicly and I certainly have never hidden it. I can be objective about just about any topic, but not about my family. Those of you who watch this show get it. Like you, I bet, my family means everything to me and I’m fiercely loyal to them. I’m family first, job second“But being a journalist and a brother to a politician is unique and a unique challenge, and I have a unique responsibility to balance those roles. It’s not always easy,” the CNN host said. “People can say and write what they want, but I want you to know the truth.”According to the CNN host, he “understand[s]” why the network was put in a difficult situation when he was “looped into calls” with Andrew Cuomo’s advisors and staff. He vowed the incident “will not happen again.”
“I’ve never tried to influence this network’s coverage of my brother,” he explained. “In fact, I’ve been walled off from it.”
Cuomo said he knows where “the line” is and how he can manage his professionalism while also being there for his family.
“I have to do that. I love my brother. I love my family,” he said. “I love my job. And I love and respect my colleagues here at CNN.”
The CNN host ended the segment with one final apology to his viewers and colleagues.
“And again, to them [his colleagues], I’m truly sorry,” Cuomo stated. “You know who I am. You know what I’m about, and I want this to be said in public to you who give me the opportunity and to my colleagues who make me better at what I do.”
The apology comes after The Washington Post published an expose earlier in the day indicating that the CNN host participated in strategy calls with his brother’s communications specialists, lawyers, and at least one aide.
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