WARNING: This post contains VERY strong, explicit language.
In a YouTube video released on Monday by “independent media journalist” with the title “That’s the Point with Brandon,” CNN's Prime Time host Chris Cuomo can be seen threatening to throw a reported “Trump supporter” down some stairs. The incident appeared to be designed to get a rise out of Cuomo, but the CNN host completely blew up at a minor slight.
All told, Cuomo used the “F-word” roughly 25 times.
Before the video started rolling, the unidentified man apparently called Cuomo by the name “Fredo.” The name was a stinging nickname stemming from the disgraced Fredo Corleone character in The Godfather film. Over the years, it's been a favorite jab at him from people on the right. But according to Cuomo, it was an ethnic slur on par with the “N-word” (Click “expand”):
UNIDENTIFIED MAN 1: I thought that’s who you were.
CHRIS CUOMO: No, punk ass bitches from the right call me Fredo. My name is Chris Cuomo, I’m an anchor on CNN.
Fredo is from The Godfather. He was that weak brother. And they use it as an Italian aspersion. Any of you Italian?
MAN: I got a little bit Italian.
CUOMO: Are you Italian? It’s a fucking insult to your people.
UNIDENTIFIED MAN 2 (from off-camera): I didn’t know that.
CUOMO: It’s an insult to your fucking people. It’s like the N-word for us. Is that a cool fucking thing?
As a second-generation Italian-American, this author has never heard “Fredo” used as an ethnic slur, let alone it being on the same level as the “N-word”. It's normally an insult meaning the person was the black sheep of the family, or the lesser in a family. In fact, since it’s short for “Alfredo,” it would be really strange for someone to name children an ethnic slur. That’s not to mention that people without Italian heritage name their kids Alfredo.
“But if you want to play then we’ll fucking play,” Cuomo angrily spat as things began to spiral. “Yeah, but you’re going to have a big fucking problem.”
A man in NY yesterday approached CNN's Chris Cuomo and called him "Fredo"
— Ryan Saavedra (@RealSaavedra) August 13, 2019
Cuomo: "You're going to have a problem"
Man: "What are you going to do about it?"
Cuomo: "I'll fuckin ruin your shit. I'll fucking throw you down these stairs"
Credit: "THAT'S THE POINT with Brandon" pic.twitter.com/4iWwzaSQpF
Things then seemed like they were headed for a brawl with Cuomo threatened the guy with throwing him down the stairs (click “expand”):
MAN 1: I don’t have a problem with you man.
CUOMO: You’re going to have a fucking problem.
MAN 1: What? What are you going to do about it?
CUOMO: I’ll fucking ruin your shit. I’ll fucking throw you down these stairs like a fucking punk.
MAN 1: Please do.
CUOMO: Why, so you can fucking sue?
MAN 1: You don’t want to do that. You don’t want to do that.
CUOMO: So you can fucking sue?
MAN 1: But why don’t you do that then?
CUOMO: Then take a fucking swing. You want to call me Fredo then take a fucking swing.
MAN 1: I’m not going to take a swing at you.
CUOMO (presumably at Man 2): Watch your fucking hands.
“Take a swing. No, no. Come on boy. You want to call me shit, call me shit then. I’m right fucking here,” Cuomo continued to taunt. “I’ll fucking wreck your shit. I’ll fucking wreck your shit.” Seconds later, the argument was broken up.
The video went viral moments after it hit Twitter. Responding to a snarky tweet from Donald Trump Jr., CNN spokesperson Matt Dornic declared that the network completely supported Cuomo. “Chris Cuomo defended himself when he was verbally attacked with the use of an ethnic slur in an orchestrated setup. We completely support him,” he wrote.
In a follow-up tweet, Dornic took a swipe at Trump Jr.’s younger brother, tweeting: “Speaking of dumb brothers.... cc: @EricTrump”. Effectively demonstrating what kind of people CNN hire.
CNN legal analyst Elie Honig got in on the action and threw his support behind the raging Cuomo. “Somebody threw an ethnic slur at @ChrisCuomo. I defend every damn word he says here,” he tweeted. Again, Fredo was not an ethnic slur.
Speaking of Trump Jr., Cuomo had zero problems with CNN commentator and former Republican Ana Navarro referring to the President’s son as “Fredo” back in January. In fact, the Twitter account for his show promoted it.
And, for the record, Cuomo Prime Time is on hiatus this week with Cuomo on vacation, so there wasn't a chance for Cuomo to chime in.
The transcript is below, click "expand" to read. Again, there is very strong language used, so caution:
(…)
UNIDENTIFIED MAN 1: I thought that’s who you were.
CHRIS CUOMO: No, punk ass bitches from the right call me Fredo. My name is Chris Cuomo, I’m an anchor on CNN.
Fredo is from The Godfather. He was that weak brother. And they use it as an Italian aspersion. Any of you Italian?
MAN: I got a little bit Italian.
CUOMO: Are you Italian? It’s a fucking insult to your people.
UNIDENTIFIED MAN 2 (from off camera): I didn’t know that.
CUOMO: It’s an insult to your fucking people. It’s like the N-word for us. Is that a cool fucking thing?
MAN 1: You’re a much more reasonable guy in person than you seem to be on television.
CUOMO: But if you want to play then we’ll fucking play. If you got something to say about what I do on television, then say it. Don’t be a [inaudible] and call me a fucking insult.
MAN 1: Listen.
CUOMO: What? What?
MAN 1: I don’t want any problems.
CUOMO: Yeah, but you’re going to have a big fucking problem.
MAN 1: What’s the problem?
CUOMO: It’s a little different on TV. Don’t fucking insult me like that.
MAN 1: I didn’t insult you.
CUOMO: What the fuck? You called me Fredo. It’s like I call you punk bitch. You like that? You want that to be your nickname?
MAN 1: I didn’t call you that.
CUOMO: You called me Fredo. You know my name’s not fucking Fredo.
MAN 1: I though that’s what your name was.
CUOMO: You did not think my name was fucking Fredo. Don’t be a liar.
MAN 1: I thought you name was—
CUOMO: You want to be a man, stand up like a man.
MAN 1: I’m standing up man.
CUOMO: You want to be a man, I’m here.
MAN 1: Yeah, I’m here.
CUOMO: Then fucking own it. Then own what you said.
MAN 1: Listen, man – [Takes off glasses]
CUOMO: Then fucking own it. Then own what you said.
MAN 1: I don’t have a problem with you man.
CUOMO: You’re going to have a fucking problem.
MAN 1: What? What are you going to do about it?
CUOMO: I’ll fucking ruin your shit. I’ll fucking throw you down these stairs like a fucking punk.
MAN 1: Please do.
CUOMO: Why, so you can fucking sue?
MAN 1: You don’t want to do that. You don’t want to do that.
CUOMO: So you can fucking sue?
MAN 1: But why don’t you do that then?
CUOMO: Then take a fucking swing. You want to call me Fredo then take a fucking swing.
MAN 1: I’m not going to take a swing at you.
CUOMO (presumably at Man 2): Watch your fucking hands.
[Crosstalk]
Take a swing. No, no. Come on boy. You want to call me shit, call me shit then. I’m right fucking here.
MAN 1: I’m not doing anything.
CUOMO: I’ll fucking wreck your shit. I’ll fucking wreck your shit.
UNIDENTIFIED MAN 3: Chris, stop.
CUOMO: You didn’t know what you were doing when you called me Fredo?
MAN 1: I thought it was your name man. I thought it was your name.
UNIDENTIFIED MAN 4: Break it up.
CUOMO: You didn’t know what you were saying?
MAN 1: I thought it was his name.
CUOMO: You thought my name was fucking Fredo?
(…)
