Ex-anchor Chris Cuomo’s departure from CNN has evolved into one of the most talked-about media feuds in recent years, drawing sharp lines between former allies and revealing deep fractures within the network’s leadership.
At the center of this ongoing conflict are explosive allegations, legal battles, and personal betrayals involving high-profile CNN figures Jeff Zucker and Don Lemon.
Cuomo, who filed a $125 million arbitration case against CNN, has repeatedly denied wrongdoing. He has maintained that his actions in assisting his brother, former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, during a sexual harassment scandal were known to his superiors at CNN. “I didn’t lie to anyone,” Cuomo said during an interview with Bill Maher, expressing frustration over the disruption to his personal and professional life.
The fallout between Cuomo and Don Lemon, his former co-anchor, also remains unresolved. Cuomo has described their on-air friendship as a fabrication orchestrated by Zucker to boost ratings. Cuomo claimed that “stay over on [Lemon’s] show to help mitigate whatever’s going to come out of his mouth” was Zucker’s directive. Cuomo explained that Zucker had concerns about how to open Lemon’s show.
Following his dismissal, Cuomo criticized Lemon for failing to support him. He publicly stated he would only consider a joint podcast with Lemon if Lemon issued a personal apology. Lemon, who was also later fired from CNN in 2023 for comments deemed misogynistic, has since launched a show on YouTube.
Reports from the Daily Mail further describe the deteriorated relationship between Cuomo and Lemon, noting that their once-prominent on-air banter masked significant personal discord. Meanwhile, Zucker’s resignation followed revelations of his undisclosed relationship with Allison Gollust, CNN’s former marketing chief.
Cuomo now suggests that Lemon’s prominence at the network was influenced by his connection with Zucker. He says that Zucker and Don Lemon shared a close bond, as Zucker’s best friend also happens to be Lemon’s agent.
Despite Cuomo’s assertion that many at CNN remain supportive of him, sources indicate otherwise, suggesting that most staff members are reluctant to associate with him due to the legal battles and media scrutiny.
In his legal filings, Cuomo has accused CNN of not only wrongful termination but also of fostering a hostile work environment by allegedly spreading misinformation about his conduct. A judge recently ruled that arbitration could proceed despite Cuomo’s claims of bias against the appointed arbitrator.
Cuomo’s current role at NewsNation marks his return to television, although he continues to seek damages from his former employer. The broader impact of these controversies has also influenced CNN’s leadership and programming direction, especially under new executives who are reportedly shifting towards a subscription-based model.
When asked whether he would do a podcast with Lemon, Cuomo said, “Why would I do it? You think he’s going to apologize to me? I am a loyalty guy… that’s the end of the analysis for me… You’re ride or die, or you’re not.”
As the legal proceedings unfold, the public rift between Cuomo, Lemon, and Zucker highlights ongoing tensions in broadcast journalism, especially regarding the responsibilities of news anchors in handling personal and professional boundaries.
