Can Chris Cuomo bounce back? Questions linger as he enters NewsNation’s prime-time line-up

The next move in Chris Cuomo’s career will test whether he can put behind him the scandal that led to his ouster from CNN and also took down his brother, ex-New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

Chris Cuomo, once a mainstay of the CNN lineup and one of its most popular on-air personalities, was fired in December 2021 after news reports surfaced that he had advised the ex-governor on how to handle sexual abuse allegations. Writing in his Qwoted column, editor in chief Lou Carlozo said:

There’s no way around it: Chris Cuomo lied and deceived. He lied to the CNN brass and his co-workers about how deep he was into helping his politician brother. As one trusted to uphold the truth, he betrayed his profession by looking for dirt that sought to spin troubling allegations into a conspiracy, not investigate them.”

Thus NewsNation takes a chance that like many a disgraced figure, Cuomo can return having learned from his mistakes and make amends. But joining NewsNation is a gamble, as the faltering Nexstar Media Group property has been criticized for right-wing media bias disguised as non-biased, objective reporting. And in the journalism profession, “one strike, you’re out” applies when earning and keeping the public trust, and steering clear of lies and conflicts of interest.

The following excerpt was sent out by NewsNation:

NewsNation, America’s fastest growing cable news network, today announced that Chris Cuomo, the award-winning broadcast journalist and attorney, will be joining its prime-time line-up this fall as the host of his own show.

With over two decades of experience as an investigative journalist and television news anchor, Chris Cuomo has interviewed presidents and world leaders, reported from war zones, covered the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and shared hundreds of powerful, eye-opening stories impacting the lives of everyday Americans.

Mr. Cuomo most recently hosted CNN’s “Cuomo Prime Time,” one of the highest-rated shows on cable news, and previously co-anchored the network’s three-hour morning show, “New Day.” At ABC News, Mr. Cuomo served as chief law and justice correspondent, co-anchor of ABC’s “20/20,” and news anchor for “Good Morning America.” Prior to ABC News, he was a correspondent and political policy analyst for Fox News. Mr. Cuomo began his career as an attorney, following his graduation from the Fordham School of Law.

Mr. Cuomo has received multiple Emmy Award nominations and was recognized with a News Emmy for his “Good Morning America” profile of 12-year-old poet Mattie Stepanek, making him one of the youngest correspondents to ever receive the award. He has been awarded Polk and Peabody Awards for team news coverage and his work has been recognized with a national Edward R. Murrow Award for breaking news coverage, a Gerald Loeb Award for Television Deadline business reporting, and an American Bar Association Silver Gavel Award for investigative news.