Chris Cuomo, the former CNN anchor, has candidly shared his experiences of the significant personal and professional turmoil he faced after his dismissal from the network in late 2021.
In recent podcast appearances, Cuomo delved into the profound emotional and mental toll his termination took, while also discussing the ongoing legal dispute with his former employer and his perspective on working in today’s evolving media environment.
CNN terminated Chris Cuomo in December 2021 after revelations surfaced that he had provided assistance to his brother, Andrew Cuomo, then the governor of New York, who was facing numerous public allegations of sexual misconduct that eventually led to his resignation.
These complex circumstances surrounding his departure formed the foundation for a substantial $125 million lawsuit that Cuomo initiated against CNN in 2022.
The lawsuit contends that CNN actively pursued a “smear campaign” against him, alleging that this campaign had the effect of preventing him from obtaining comparable news anchor roles at other organizations.
Furthermore, Cuomo’s legal team has publicly stated that not only were CNN executives aware of his actions, but they might have also played a role in them.
Bryan Freedman, an attorney representing Cuomo, informed NBC News that it’s clear to everyone that his client “did not lie to CNN” regarding his efforts to help his brother.
Freedman contended that the “limited information released from WarnerMedia’s investigation” shows that “CNN’s highest-level executives not only knew about Chris’s involvement in helping his brother but also actively assisted the Governor, both through Chris and directly themselves.”
In recent public comments, Cuomo has elaborated on the profound personal effects of the experience.
Appearing on the “No BS Newshour” podcast last week, Cuomo shared that he was “emotionally and psychologically beat up and changed by what I went through.”
He linked this personal transformation directly to his current professional output, explaining that his show is “different because I am different.”
During a podcast interview, he specifically addressed a crucial element related to his firing, asserting that he “never did anything to manipulate media coverage of my brother.”
Cuomo also took the opportunity during his podcast interviews to discuss his aspirations and outlook for his future career within the media industry.
He stated an acceptance that he likely would not achieve the level of traditional media prominence he once held, noting, “I’ll never be number 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 on some bulls–t media power list.” He added, “I’m okay with that.”
Interestingly, despite the contentious nature of his departure and the ongoing legal battle, Cuomo still expressed a high regard for his former network.
He told the “No BS Newshour” podcast hosts that he views CNN as the “best news organization in the world.”
Further detailing the personal toll, Cuomo shared particularly stark sentiments on an episode of Anthony Scaramucci’s Spotify podcast, “Open Book With Anthony Scaramucci,” which aired recently.
He admitted to experiencing intense distress immediately following his termination, stating that he “had to accept [my firing] because I was going to kill everybody including myself.”
Cuomo, who is of Italian heritage, connected the intensity of his feelings to his background, adding that “things can consume you. Italians are so passionate.”
He spoke of the lasting impact, noting, “There is damage that is relatable, there is damage that is unrelatable to people that I have to deal with, that I am working on.”
Reflecting on the loss of his position and prominence at CNN, Cuomo reiterated the belief that his professional standing was unjustly taken from him.
Reflecting on his past role, he shared on Scaramucci’s podcast, “I’ll never be that again,” adding, “That was taken from me, I believe wrongly.”
