Video emerged Monday that depicts CNN anchor Chris Cuomo in a heated argument with someone who claims to be a Trump supporter, who apparently called him “Fredo” while asking for a photo.
The YouTube video claims to be “Footage sent in by a [That’s The Point with Brandon] fan,” and goes on to explain that “a fan of news went to ask Chris Cuomo for a photo, mind you the man who asked him DID NOT know his real name and knows of him only through The RUSH LIMBUAGH SHOW [sic] and on that show Rush repeatedly calls him ‘FREDO’ so the man legitimately thought his name was FREDO. At this point CHRIS CUOMO LOSES IT AND THREATENS THE MAN WITH VIOLENCE!”
“Punk-ass bitches on the right call me Fredo,” Cuomo says, and goes on to explain why he finds that name offensive.
“Fredo was from The Godfather,” Cuomo said. “He was a weak brother. And they use it as an Italian aspersion. Are any of you Italian? Are you Italian? It’s a f—ing insult to your people. It’s an insult to your f—ing people.” He then claimed that “Fredo” is the N-word to Italians. “Is that a cool f—ing thing?”
The other man in the video then mockingly tells Cuomo that he is “a much more reasonable guy in person than you seem to be on television,” to which Cuomo responds, “If you want to play, we’ll f—ing play.”
After further back-and-forth, Cuomo said, “You’re gonna have a f—ing problem. It’s a little different on TV. Don’t f—ing insult me like that. You called me Fredo, like I call you ‘punk bitch.'”
Taking off his glasses, the other man says, “I don’t have a problem, man,” but then Cuomo reiterates that he is going to, and then threatens to “ruin your shit” and “f—ing throw you down these stairs like a f—ing punk.”
Others get between the two to break up the altercation before the video ends.
“Fredo” soared to the top of trending Twitter terms Monday night.
CNN Vice President of Communications Matt Dornic tweeted of the incident, “Chris Cuomo defended himself when he was verbally attacked with the use of an ethnic slur in an orchestrated setup. We completely support him.”
Chris Cuomo defended himself when he was verbally attacked with the use of an ethnic slur in an orchestrated setup. We completely support him.
— Matt Dornic (@mdornic) August 13, 2019
