Chris Cuomo of CNN: Inside the creepy allegations
Chris Cuomo spent years as a familiar face on CNN, but a leaked 2020 recording between him and Michael Cohen drew renewed attention to how media figures handle rumors of misconduct. The clip, played by Tucker Carlson on Fox News, captured Cuomo discussing past accusations and media scrutiny while Cohen offered blunt commentary. The exchange resurfaced questions about accountability and selective outrage across cable news.
Who is Michael Cohen?
Michael Cohen once served as Donald Trump’s personal attorney and vice president of the Trump Foundation. After pleading guilty to campaign finance violations, bank fraud, and related charges tied to the 2016 election, he lost his law license. By 2020 he had already begun work on a tell-all book about the Trump White House. Released from prison and house arrest after the initial COVID period, Cohen published the book and continued appearing as a commentator on television and podcasts through 2026, often revisiting Trump-related legal and political developments.
Tucker Carlson’s expose
Carlson introduced the recording by mocking Cohen’s reputation and then played excerpts. On the tape Cuomo described fielding calls from reporters and expressed frustration with how stories were pursued. Cohen compared the rumors to past scandals involving other broadcasters. The segment framed the conversation as evidence of hypocrisy, suggesting Cuomo applied stricter standards to others than to himself.
“There is no woman!”
Cohen pressed Cuomo on whether any credible accuser existed. Cuomo replied that no woman had come forward with serious claims and dismissed one account as an overreaction to an elevator encounter. Cohen closed the recorded portion by warning that media outlets were not allies. Carlson used the exchange to argue that Cuomo would have demanded immediate consequences for anyone else facing similar rumors.
Where’s the tape?
Only the portions Carlson aired have circulated publicly. Cohen stated he did not provide the recording to Fox News or authorize its use. He noted that the Justice Department held copies as part of its broader investigation at the time. No further public releases or updates have clarified the tape’s current status since the original 2020 coverage.
Why was Chris Cuomo talking to Michael Cohen?
At the time, Cohen was preparing his book and claimed the Trump administration was attempting to interfere with its release. The conversation appeared to focus on how Cohen should respond to media questions about unverified rumors. Cohen later completed his sentence and saw the book reach publication despite those earlier concerns.
Where are the complaints?
When the recording surfaced, no formal complaints from Cuomo’s ABC years had been documented publicly. In 2021, former ABC producer Shelley Ross wrote in The New York Times that Cuomo had made an unwanted advance at a 2005 work party. Cuomo denied the allegation. The same year, the lawsuit filed by former Fox News contributor Cathy Areu against the network and several hosts, including Tucker Carlson, was dismissed; Areu did not file an amended complaint and the case ended with prejudice.
Statement from FOX News:
“Based on the findings of a comprehensive independent investigation conducted by an outside law firm, including interviews with numerous eyewitnesses, we have determined that all of Cathy Areu’s claims against FOX News, including its management as well as its hosts Tucker Carlson, Sean Hannity & Howard Kurtz and its contributor Gianno Caldwell, are false, patently frivolous and utterly devoid of any merit.
We take all claims of harassment, misconduct, and retaliation seriously, promptly investigating them and taking immediate action as needed — in this case, the appropriate action based on our investigation is to defend vigorously against these baseless allegations. Ms. Areu and Jennifer Eckhart can pursue their claims against Ed Henry directly with him, as FOX News already took swift action as soon as it learned of Ms. Eckhart’s claims on June 25 and Mr. Henry is no longer employed by the network.” —FOX News
The dismissal of Areu’s case in 2021 closed that particular legal chapter without further amendments or appeals.
Chris Cuomo's Career After CNN
CNN terminated Cuomo in December 2021 amid separate questions about his involvement in his brother Andrew Cuomo’s defense during harassment investigations. After leaving the network he joined NewsNation in 2022 as a prime-time host. In January 2026 he returned to SiriusXM for a morning talk show, marking another chapter in a career that has spanned network television, digital platforms, and satellite radio.
Later Allegations Against Chris Cuomo
The 2021 Shelley Ross column added a specific allegation from Cuomo’s ABC period that had not been part of the earlier public record. Ross described an incident at a 2005 party and expressed hope that Cuomo would use subsequent opportunities differently. Cuomo rejected the account. The timing of the column coincided with the final weeks of his CNN tenure, though the network cited other factors in the termination decision.
Outcome of Cathy Areu Lawsuit
After the initial filing, a federal judge dismissed the claims against Fox News, Carlson, and the other named hosts in 2021. Areu received an opportunity to amend the complaint but did not do so. The case concluded with prejudice, ending the litigation without any finding of liability on the part of the network or its on-air talent.
Michael Cohen's Post-2020 Activities
Following his release and the reversal of the re-arrest, Cohen completed his sentence and published the anticipated book. He has remained visible as a commentator, offering analysis on Trump-related legal matters in 2024, 2025, and into 2026. While the specific recording discussed in the 2020 segment has not resurfaced in full, Cohen has continued to address questions about his time working with Trump and the legal aftermath.
The 2020 recording and its aftermath illustrated how quickly private conversations can become public currency in a polarized media environment. Years later, the principals have moved through firings, book deals, lawsuit resolutions, and new broadcasting roles, yet the original questions about rumor management and selective standards remain part of the record.
