A top spokesman for the Trump campaign accused CNN’s Chris Cuomo of not abiding by his quarantine when he had COVID-19 earlier this year.
The exchange happened after President Trump’s communications director Tim Murtaugh took a shot at how New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, the journalist’s brother, responded to the pandemic.
Murtaugh told Chris Cuomo that everybody knew he broke quarantine, a claim that the host flatly denied during Prime Time on Monday. The spokesman referred to a recent report by Fox News host Tucker Carlson about Cuomo’s apartment complex, bemoaning how the host didn’t wear a mask while on the premises.
“Why did you get reprimanded by your apartment building for failing to wear a mask? We know you broke quarantine,” Murtaugh said.
“Because I did the wrong thing,” Chris Cuomo responded. “I never broke quarantine.”
“And then, you came home, and you pretended to rise up from your basement, like Lazarus,” Murtaugh said, following his accusation.
Cuomo said he took no offense to him mocking him getting sick but pointed to Trump’s approach to the pandemic.
The host also argued that Trump has spread false ideas about COVID-19, including about testing and efforts to create a vaccine.
“The president is grossly exaggerating when it will be ready,” Cuomo said.
Murtaugh responded by telling the host he should go and work for Joe Biden’s presidential campaign.
“If you want to be a Joe Biden surrogate, I’m sure they’re still hiring,” he said. “There are eight days left. You missed your chance. You would have fit right in at the debates.”
The segment ended on a civil note with Cuomo inviting Murtaugh to return on his show. The CNN host added that it will be up to voters to decide whether Trump did a good enough job on the virus to win a second term in office.
“I respect your efforts because that’s the game,” Cuomo said. “… But I’ll tell you what, brother. In seven days, we’ll see whether people think he did the right job on this pandemic based on what you named from many months ago. Tim Murtaugh, believe it or not, you will be welcomed back. You know why? Because here, we’ll talk the talk. You’ll be welcomed here no matter how you play it.”
