‘Cuom-Out': Inside the Rise and Fall of New York’s Cuomo Brothers

May 6, 2020.

On the left, you'll find Chris Cuomo. Long-time news anchor for ABC and CNN, Cuomo was the host of Cuomo Prime Time, a weeknight news show on CNN. He had hosted the show after 2018, and had been with the network since 2013.

On the right, you'll find Chris' brother, Andrew. Andrew was, at the time, the governor of New York, a position he had held since 2011. He was the longest serving governor in the United States as of January 4, 2021.

On the screen, you'll see the brothers, engaging in political conversation, most parts serious, some parts entertaining and filled with wry humor. In their own separate ways, they held inconceivable power.

Now, you'll find them both gone.

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The Rise of Chris and Andrew Cuomo

Following his education at Fordham University and Albany Law School, Cuomo's political career was jumpstarted with his role as the Housing and Urban Development Secretary in Bill Clinton's cabinet, a role that lasted from 1997 to 2001.

Cuomo would first attempt to run for governor of New York in 2002, then, following a stint as the state's attorney general, was elected governor in 2011. He served three terms as governor, and had announced that he would run for a fourth.

Chris, meanwhile, gained notoriety for his role with ABC, which included his news contributions on Good Morning America. He served as the co-anchor of 20/20 on the network, and was a chief correspondent before departing for CNN. He was with the network from 2013 through 2021.

The Allegations

The allegations begin with brother Andrew, who became the subject of an investigation launched by attorney general, Letitia James. James concluded that Cuomo had sexually harassed at least eleven women during his term as governor. Cuomo stepped down from his post on August 23, 2021.

Then, came brother Chris, who himself was caught up in serious sexual misconduct allegations. Cuomo issued an apology for a report that was released earlier in the fall, and shared with the public an email that he had sent to the victim, apologizing for his conduct immediately after. Other stories of Chris Cuomo's conduct have since come out, as well.

The Fall of Chris and Andrew Cuomo

More recently, however, news broke that Chris Cuomo had consulted with his brother, Andrew, on how to handle the allegations that were being levied against the former. Due to the conflict of interest these reports created for Cuomo and CNN, he was fired by the network.

On the surface, Chris and Andrew Cuomo appeared to be one of the most powerful duos in politics, with one the acting governor of New York, and the other one of the most well-respected political commentators in America.

In reality, however, hindsight paints the brothers as out of touch with reality, and overly confident in what their power could provide, and what it could cover up.

Now, both New York and CNN shift to a future, without the Cuomo name in its midst.