Former President Trump on Tuesday cheered the announcement from CNN that anchor Chris Cuomo would be placed on an “indefinite suspension.”
Trump, who often sparred with the anchor during his four-year term, called the move “great news for television viewers” while speculating whether it had any link to ratings.
“In any event, Fredo is gone!” Trump said Tuesday, using a nickname he has employed for CNN’s Cuomo.
Cuomo was suspended indefinitely on Tuesday following new revelations about his involvement in the harassment case against his brother, former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D).
“The New York Attorney General’s office released transcripts and exhibits Monday that shed new light on Chris Cuomo’s involvement in his brother’s defense,” CNN said in a statement to The Hill on Tuesday evening.
The documents show the 51-year-old television anchor texting with former top aides to his brother, asking to be included in the planning of his crisis public relations campaign after the allegations were made.
“The documents, which we were not privy to before their public release, raise serious questions. When Chris admitted to us that he had offered advice to his brother’s staff, he broke our rules and we acknowledged that publicly. But we also appreciated the unique position he was in and understood his need to put family first and job second,” the network said. “However, these documents point to a greater level of involvement in his brother’s efforts than we previously knew. As a result, we have suspended Chris indefinitely, pending further evaluation,” the CNN statement said.
The documents also shed light on the crisis management strategy and the depth of Chris Cuomo’s involvement during the end of his brother’s term as governor.
Melissa DeRosa, one of the former governor’s closest advisers, texted Chris Cuomo in March to “check with his sources” in the media about additional women coming forward against Andrew Cuomo.
Chris Cuomo did not acknowledge the documents or CNN’s announced review of the material during his show on Monday.
Trump previously blasted Andrew Cuomo in a statement in August in response to his resignation announcement.
“To tell you the truth, this guy is a TOTAL LOSER, and New York, as well as the entire Country, is better off without him,” Trump said.