Chris Cuomo apologizes for advising brother Andrew Cuomo on handling scandal

CNN anchor Chris Cuomo on Thursday apologized for advising his brother, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D), on how to answer questions about the sexual misconduct allegations he faces.

“I understand why that was a problem for CNN. It will not happen again,” Cuomo said in a statement at the start of his 9 p.m. show “Cuomo Prime Time.”

“It was a mistake because I put my colleagues here, who I believe are the best in the business, in a bad spot. And I never intended for that. I would never intend for that. And I am sorry for that,” he added.

The apology comes after news broke Thursday that Chris Cuomo participated in several conference calls held earlier this year to craft the governor’s public response to the multiple sexual harassment accusations he faces.

During the calls, the CNN anchor told the governor, an aide, some attorneys and members of his communications team that his brother should not resign, should stay defiant and should bring up cancel culture when asked about the scandals.

In a statement Thursday, CNN acknowledged Cuomo should not have given public relations advice to his brother, saying it was “inappropriate to engage in conversations that included members of the Governor’s staff.” 

CNN said Cuomo will not face any disciplinary action. 

“Being a journalist and a brother to a politician is… a unique challenge, and I have a unique responsibility to balance those roles,” says @ChrisCuomo regarding reports that he offered advice to his brother, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo. “It was a mistake.” pic.twitter.com/P0GkglgrYM

— Cuomo Prime Time (@CuomoPrimeTime) May 21, 2021

This is not the first time the conflict between his job as a journalist and his relationship with his brother has been a problem for Cuomo. 

The anchor was critiqued by other journalists earlier this year after it was alleged he received prioritized COVID-19 testing — ordered by his brother — while reporting on the pandemic.

Over the years, CNN has changed its mind at least three times about whether Cuomo could cover the governor on his show.  

Initially, Cuomo was not allowed to interview his brother, but CNN reversed that decision when the COVID-19 pandemic took hold in New York state last year and Andrew Cuomo initially earned national praise for his response.

CNN changed its mind again earlier this year, banning the governor from appearing on his brother’s show after he was accused of sexual misconduct by several women and of covering up nursing home COVID-19 deaths.

While apologizing Thursday for offering his brother help, Chris Cuomo also stressed that his family comes first.

“Now, today there are stories out there about me offering my brother advice,” Cuomo said. “Of course I do. This is no revelation. I have said it publicly, and I certainly have never hidden it. I can be objective about just about any topic. But not about my family.”