Chris Cuomo returns to CNN and reveals what he told his disgraced brother before he resigned as NY governor

CNN anchor Chris Cuomo returned to the network after a week-long hiatus, delivering his first broadcast since his brother, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, announced his resignation amid a slew of sexual harassment allegations.

During a three minute on “Cuomo Prime Time,” Chris Cuomo broke his silence regarding the scandal. “This situation is unlike anything I could’ve imagined,” Cuomo told his viewers, before clarifying why he hadn’t yet addressed the allegations.

“I never covered my brother’s troubles because I obviously have a conflict, and there are rules at CNN about that,” the host explained. “And yes, while it was something I never imagined ever having to do, I did urge my brother to resign when the time came.”

Cuomo also refuted reports that he took on a role as adviser to his brother. “My position has never changed: I never misled about the misinformation I was delivering or not delivering on this program,” he said. “I’m not an adviser, I’m a brother. I wasn’t in control of anything, I was there to listen and offer my take.”

“My advice to my brother was simple and consistent: Own what you did, tell what you’ll do to be better, be contrite, and finally, accept that it doesn’t matter what you intended. What matters is how your words and actions were perceived,” the anchor continued.

Earlier this year, The Washington Post reported that the CNN host was involved in phone calls with his brother’s staff regarding how to handle the allegations, which the anchor called a “mistake.”

“When I was told to no longer communicate with my brother’s aides and group meetings, I acknowledged it was a mistake, I apologised to my colleagues, and I stopped — and I meant it,” he said. “It was a unique situation being a brother to a politician in a scandal, and being part of the media. I tried to do the right thing. And I just want you all to know that.”

“I just felt it needed to be said,” Cuomo concluded. This will be my final word on it.”