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CNN went on red alert on Tuesday to cover the astonishing resignation of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo of New York, delivering his remarks live and correcting Empire State political veterans over the phone.
Another Cuomo was conspicuously absent: Chris Cuomo, the governor’s brother and CNN’s highest-rated presenter, whose family connection to a national scandal has proven increasingly difficult for the cable network to navigate. He is on leave this week for what he described as a vacation planned for his birthday.
Chris Cuomo has spoken regularly by phone with Governor Cuomo over the past week and advised his brother to step down, said two people who requested anonymity to describe sensitive private conversations.
The anchor concluded last week that his brother could not survive the political maelstrom, as the governor’s longtime allies abandoned him and support from the Democratic establishment waned, people said.
CNN banned Chris Cuomo from participating in strategy sessions with governor’s aides, but the network said it would not bar him from speaking directly with his brother about the scandal.
The distinction is unlikely to appease critics who say CNN erred in allowing Chris Cuomo to continue airing his 9pm news and commentary program while his brother became the target of a bullying. It was a difficult situation for the network and its chairman, Jeff Zucker, who had criticized Fox News when its prime-time hosts were embroiled in the administration and campaign of former President Donald J. Trump.
“Cuomo Prime Time” also helped restore Andrew Cuomo’s national reputation last year. The governor appeared on the program several times to discuss his response to the emerging pandemic, and his long, intimate, live conversations with Chris Cuomo, who had fallen ill with the coronavirus, captivated viewers.
In May, Chris Cuomo apologized to viewers after it emerged that he had advised his brother’s assistants on how to respond to accusations of sexual misconduct, but the host said his loyalty lay in “Family first, then work”. At the time, CNN called his actions “inappropriate,” but that did not discipline him.
The New York Times reported last week that CNN executives also offered Chris Cuomo a temporary leave if he wanted to formally advise his brother, with the promise that he could return to his show. He refused to take leave. CNN declined to comment on Tuesday beyond its past statements about its presenter.
CNN’s afternoon broadcasts on Tuesday covered Andrew Cuomo’s resignation, with host John King telling viewers, “You just watched hit news.” Fox News, whose governor has long been mocked by commentators, included segments about Chris Cuomo’s embarrassing role on CNN in its coverage of the resignation.
But Chris Cuomo received sympathy from a Fox News host. On his Monday show, Tucker Carlson said he would not criticize the CNN presenter for wanting to help his brother in a crisis.
“It’s understandable,” Mr. Carlson said. ” It’s his brother. Your loyalty should above all be to your family.
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