CNN’s Chris Cuomo once described[1] Fox News host Sean Hannity as “the most powerful person in the media” because the president does whatever he says.
That certainly wasn’t the case on Tuesday.
While Donald Trump and his oldest son were busy piling on Cuomo after a video of him threatening to throw some heckler down the stairs[2] went viral, Hannity offered up this Twitter TWTR, +2.68%[3] defense of his media rival:
I say good for @ChrisCuomo[4]
He’s out with his 9 year old daughter, and his wife, and this guy is being a jackass in front of his family.
Imho Chris Cuomo has zero to apologize for. He deserves the apology. https://t.co/VnyMNgz14U[5]
— Sean Hannity (@seanhannity) August 13, 2019[6]
But before Hannity’s take, the president joined the anti-CNN mob by tweeting that “the truth hurts.” He then turned up the heat with these comments:
Trump compares Chris Cuomo's behavior to "a total out of control animal." pic.twitter.com/WMwOIgUpSq[7]
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) August 13, 2019[8]
Don Jr. also chimed in:
Guys I have a feeling Chris “Fake News Fredo” Cuomo is going to stick. #FakeNewsFredo https://t.co/1AaFQQAOxH[9][10]
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) August 13, 2019[11]
The rare divide left legions of Trump-loving Fox News fans torn: ...
Here’s what Cuomo had to say following the backlash: Appreciate all the support but - truth is I should be better than the guys baiting me. This happens all the time these days. Often in front of my family. But there is a lesson: no need to add to the ugliness; I should be better than what I oppose.— Christopher C. Cuomo (@ChrisCuomo) August 13, 2019[12] References^ once described (www.adweek.com)^ a video of him threatening to throw some heckler down the stairs (www.marketwatch.com)^ TWTR, +2.68% (www.marketwatch.com)^ @ChrisCuomo (twitter.com)^ https://t.co/VnyMNgz14U (t.co)^ August 13, 2019 (twitter.com)^ pic.twitter.com/WMwOIgUpSq (t.co)^ August 13, 2019 (twitter.com)^ #FakeNewsFredo (twitter.com)^ https://t.co/1AaFQQAOxH (t.co)^ August 13, 2019 (twitter.com)^ August 13, 2019 (twitter.com)