‘You Need to Trust Me’: CNN’s Cuomo Coordinated Brother’s PR Response to Sex Scandal

The Monday release of new information is available investigative documents from the New York Attorney General’s office further exposed just how early and involved CNN Prime Time host Chris Cuomo was working with his brother, Governor Andrew Cuomo’s office to cook up public statements in response to his sexual misconduct scandal, and exploit his sources to dig up leads on accusers and then-upcoming stories about them. He even begged the then-governor’s aides “You need to trust me” for his brother’s career to be saved.

As NewsBusters reported previously back in August, Chris had lied to his viewers about his role in crafting his brother’s public responses to the allegations against him. “I’m not an adviser,” he said at the time. “It wasn’t my responsibility to make decisions. I was just there to hear and give my opinion. My advice to my brother was clear and consistent..”

However, the text exchange between DeRosa and Melissa DeRosa was a subtle sign of his deceit. In early March, he pleaded with DeRosa: “I’m here to help you..” A few days prior, the Governor’s executive office apparently butchered The statement Chris made for them In an email, I sent another.

“Goddam […]Every fucking moment I panic […]Your name is mine […]Talk is dangerous […] I worry abt this ‘if investigation proves allegations he has to go,’” he wrote to DeRosa.

The texts also show how Chris used his network of journalistic sources to make moves against at least one of his brother’s accusers, “wedding girl,” and snoop on other media outlets and journalists rumored to be publishing new allegations, including Politico:

Chris and DeRosa found Ronan Farrow’s report particularly interesting over several days.

DeRosa asked Chris to do this spontaneously.

Also revealed was how a 14-minute long rant by actor Alec Baldwin against “cancel culture” defending Andrew was spurred by a mutual friend he and Chris shared. “He was asked by a friend to help me. [REDACTED] […]He is very close to me” he told DeRosa. As the AG’s investigation Reported back in May, blaming “cancel culture” for the flood of accusers was Chris’s idea.

A text exchange between Chris and DeRosa shows how closely Chris was involved in working with the executive. It also illustrates Chris’s relief that New York Democrats were using his concocted spin. “[Assembly Speaker Carl E.] Heastie [D] used our language at least,” he told her on March 7.

Andrew was being urged to resign by many state Democrats Heastie’s statement from that day said: “We have many challenges to address, and I think it is time for the Governor to seriously consider whether he can effectively meet the needs of the people of New York.”

Despite this close working relationship with DeRosa and their shared desire of “no resign,” Chris kept getting blindsided by media reports that the executive office knew were coming. “Stop Hiding shit,” he scolded her, warning “We are making mistakes we can’t afford.”

Following that exchange, he directed DeRosa to “delete thread now.”

A transcript is included. of his sworn testimony to investigators, Chris explained that demand: “I have a constant and consistent concern about being hacked or someone obtaining my device and violating the trust of people who have put their trust in me.”

Interestingly, Chris was the one with trust issues when he doesn’t have a problem with lying to his viewers.

CNN has released a statement about these revelations stating that the “additional transcripts and exhibits … deserve a thorough review and consideration.” And that the network would be “having conversations and seeking additional clarity about their significance as they relate to CNN over the next several days.”

CNN’s rep said that they would be “having conversations” and looking for more information about Chris Cuomo’s revelations. pic.twitter.com/xkeFghL0lR

— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) November 29, 2021

CNN has not directly responded to NewsBusters’ request for comment and answers to important questions regarding Chris Cuomo’s conduct in this situation.