Chris Cuomo goes on vacation as scandal swirls around the CNN anchor and his brother
Chris Cuomo began an apparently pre-planned vacation from his CNN show Friday — as he faces flack for failing to mention his brother’s sexual harassment scandal on air.
Even with fill-in Michael Smerconish in the host’s seat on Friday, “Cuomo Prime Time” avoided any discussion of New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and instead spent the hour discussing COVID-19 vaccinations, Britney Spears’ conservatorship and other topics.
The governor has been facing pressure to resign after a damning official report concluded he sexually harassed several women.
The topic has been taking up substantial air time across cable news — but Chris Cuomo has yet to discuss it on his 9 p.m. program.
The anchor, who turns 51 on Monday, said on the CNN podcast “The Handoff” that he was taking off his birthday week and staying at home in the Hamptons.
“Every year I take my birthday week off … I’m looking forward to it,” he told his friend and fellow Long Islander Don Lemon on the podcast, according to the New York Times.
“I’ll be fishing, I’ll be hanging out with you, and I’ll be making memories with the kids.”
The CNN host has been under scrutiny because of his role advising his brother after the sexual harassment claims surfaced earlier this year.
Chris Cuomo apologized on-air to his network colleagues for putting them in a bad spot, but said he never tried to influence the cable network’s coverage of his brother.
The report on his brother led by state Attorney General Letitia James mentioned the TV journalist’s role in crafting the response to the accusations.
The three-term Democrat is facing a chorus of calls to resign in the wake of the allegations, from many within his own party including former allies.
In Chris Cuomo’s spot Monday night, CNN will air “Being… AOC” an interview with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. It’s the first episode of a new interview series fronted by Dana Bash.
