U.S.
Trump, Hannity, and Others Respond to Viral Chris Cuomo “Fredo” Video
Published
4 years agoon
By
Cory Ray
- CNN’s Chris Cuomo is being criticized for his profanity-laced response to a man calling him “Fredo,” a reference to a cowardly and incompetent character in The Godfather.
- In the video, Cuomo says the term is like the n-word for Italians, a comment that has received major backlash from both conservative and liberal commentators.
- Several people including Fox News host Sean Hannity have defended Cuomo for losing his temper on the man while he was out with his family, but on Tuesday morning, President Trump retweeted the video and called Cuomo “Fredo,” himself.
The Viral Video
CNN anchor Chris Cuomo is being criticized for his profanity-laced response to a man calling him “Fredo,” a reference to Fredo Corleone from the 1972 film The Godfather.
In a now-viral video, Cuomo compares the use of the name “Fredo” to the n-word, claiming it is a slur against Italian people like himself.
“Are you Italian?” Cuomo asks the man in the video. “It’s a fucking insult to your people. It’s an insult to your fucking people. It’s like the n-word for us. Is that a cool fucking thing?”
“Appreciate all the support but – truth is I should be better than the guys baiting me,” Cuomo said on Tuesday. “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.”
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
The Godfather films portray Fredo Corleone as a weak character, being less intelligent, more cowardly, and more incompetent than his brothers.
“I can handle things! I’m smart!” Fredo says in The Godfather II. “Not like everybody says, like dumb! ‘Not smart!’ And I want respect!”
As the viral video continues, Cuomo threatens violence, saying he will push the man down a staircase.
“I don’t have a problem with you, man,” the man says in the video.
“You’re gonna have a fucking problem.” Cuomo responds. “I’ll fucking throw you down these stairs like a fucking punk.”
Cuomo then repeatedly tells the man to “take a swing” at him. When someone touches Cuomo, presumably to remove him from the situation, he says, “Watch your fucking hands.”
The video ends with the man saying to Cuomo, “Hey, hey, look at all these cameras. You’re in for it. You’re in for it.”
According to The Washington Post, the incident took place Sunday night when Cuomo had been out with his family at a bar on Shelter Island in New York.
The man who Cuomo berates in the video had reportedly asked for a picture, calling Cuomo “Fredo,” leading up to the video.
That video was later published by the right-wing YouTube channel “THAT’S THE POINT with Brandon” on Monday after the man sent it to the channel. It was originally removed by YouTube but has since been reuploaded.
“THAT’S THE POINT with Brandon” said on Twitter that the man thought Cuomo’s name was Fredo because he listens to Rush Limbaugh, who regularly refers to Cuomo by the name.
On 8/11/19 in Shelter Island, NY. My source that sent this in says he was just asking for a photo and thought his name was Fredo from being an avid listener of @RushLimbaughEIB
— THAT’S THE POINT with Brandon (@THEECONSTITUTI1) August 13, 2019
Before the video went viral Monday night, Cuomo announced that his show, Cuomo Prime Time, would be going on hiatus until next week.
Comparing “Fredo” to the N-word
Many online met Cuomo’s comparison of the n-word and “Fredo” with criticism.
“I think the guy was being a jerk to @chriscuomo,” Conservative commentator Ben Shapiro said on Twitter, “and I certainly understand Cuomo getting pissed, but there’s just no way calling someone Fredo Corleone is like the n-word. There just isn’t. That’s plain nuts.”
I think the guy was being a jerk to @chriscuomo, and I certainly understand Cuomo getting pissed, but there's just no way calling someone Fredo Corleone is like the n-word. There just isn't. That's plain nuts.
— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) August 13, 2019
Many people of color also took to social media to criticize Cuomo’s comparison, citing that Fredo is a character in a film and that African Americans have had the n-word invoked upon them for hundreds of years.
“[The n-word] is a word rooted in white supremacy, the enslavement, lynching, murder, brutalization, & dehumanization of Blacks in America for the past 400 years,” Bishop Talbert Swan said in a tweet. “FREDO was a character in ‘The Godfather,’ circa 1972. They called Blacks [the n-word] in the movie.”
.@ChrisCuomo
— Bishop Talbert Swan (@TalbertSwan) August 13, 2019
N*GGER is a word rooted in white supremacy, the enslavement, lynching, murder, brutalization, & dehumanization of Blacks in America for the past 400 years.
FREDO was a character in ‘The Godfather,’ circa 1972. They called Blacks N*GGERS in the movie.
#FredoCuomo pic.twitter.com/7npZUMdg3E
Chris Cuomo claimed calling him FREDO was like calling blacks the n-word
— Wayne Dupree 🎙🎥 (@WayneDupreeShow) August 13, 2019
1. FREDO came from a Hollywood movie.
2. Slave masters didn’t called Italians “fredo”
3. Shows you what Cuomo thinks of black people
FREDO was associated with being “slow, and couldn’t be trusted”
Response to Cuomo’s Outburst
Many, like Shapiro, have defended the reason for Cuomo losing his temper. Monday night, Fox News host Sean Hannity said “good for Chris Cuomo.”
“Imho Chris Cuomo has zero to apologize for,” Hannity said. “He deserves the apology.”
I say good for @ChrisCuomo
— Sean Hannity (@seanhannity) August 13, 2019
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
The same evening, CNN spokesperson Matt Dornic similarly backed Cuomo.
“Chris Cuomo defended himself when he was verbally attacked with the use of an ethnic slur in an orchestrated setup,” Dornic said. “We completely support him.”
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsChris 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
Early Tuesday morning, however, President Donald Trump called Cuomo “Fredo” once more and reposted the video, saying the anchor, “Totally lost it!”
I thought Chris was Fredo also. The truth hurts. Totally lost it! Low ratings @CNN https://t.co/yBpGjt4N1T
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 13, 2019
Trump later tweeted again, making references to Red Flag Laws that have sparked debate after the recent shootings in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio. Trump continues by seemingly making a jab at a recent CNN town hall Cuomo hosted focusing on gun control.
Would Chris Cuomo be given a Red Flag for his recent rant? Filthy language and a total loss of control. He shouldn’t be allowed to have any weapon. He’s nuts!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 13, 2019
Other Uses of Fredo in Media
Since the video, many have found recent uses of the term “Fredo” by commentators and on-air hosts, including one in which CNN commentator Ana Navarro calls Donald Trump Jr. “Fredo” in front of Cuomo.
“Daddy kept Fredo back home,” she said in January. “Who cares what Donald Trump Jr. says. I don’t want to talk about that entitled little brat.”
.@ananavarro slams Don Jr. for likening border wall to zoo fence: He's an "entitled, rich, spoiled little brat whose only call to fame is being his daddy's son."
— Cuomo Prime Time (@CuomoPrimeTime) January 10, 2019
"[D]addy kept Fredo back home…Who cares what [he] says. I don't want to talk about that entitled little brat." pic.twitter.com/zpTtp8ZfAd
That clip was circulated by Donald Trump Jr., who criticized Cuomo for not stopping Navarro when she made the comment to someone other than Cuomo himself.
Does CNN’s head of PR still think “Fredo” is an ethnic slur after watching this? Because if it’s the N word for Italians like @ChrisCuomo says, I don’t understand why Chris seems so at ease with someone saying it here. An excuse just as fake as his news. #FredoCuomo https://t.co/8G8yuY80CK pic.twitter.com/1gwVyDVCob
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) August 13, 2019
Trump Jr. asked Dornic if he still stands behind his previous comment, to which Dornic responded by tagging Eric Trump in a comment that read, “Speaking of dumb brothers…”
Speaking of dumb brothers…. cc: @EricTrump
— Matt Dornic (@mdornic) August 13, 2019
Last year, Cuomo responded to a critical tweet that read, “Oh, we notice when Fredo gets testy,” after someone else said Cuomo talks loudly and is as “dumb as a rock.”
Oh, we notice when Fredo gets testy.
— David Wade (@LODaveWade) July 10, 2018
No reason to use bigoted references to be critical. I can be wrong, stupid – lots of pejorative designations. But I take that as an Italian slur, because it is – and that makes you a bigoted fool. Here is a rule: don’t be a bigot. Try to follow it. https://t.co/Smbsmc68Pi
— Christopher C. Cuomo (@ChrisCuomo) July 10, 2018
A separate audio file of Cuomo calling himself “Fredo” in a 2010 radio interview has also surfaced.
“There is a group of people — politicos — who always hint they might run,” host Curtis Sliwa said, “but not necessarily plunge all the way, and they are members of la Cuomo.”
“Who am I, then, Fredo?” Cuomo asked.
See what others are saying: (Fox News) (Politico) (USA Today)
U.S.
Survey and Census Data Shows Record Number of Americans are Struggling Financially
Published
1 week agoon
May 23, 2023By
Star Pralle
Americans are choosing not to pursue medical treatment more and more frequently as they encounter money troubles.
A recent federal survey shows that a record number of Americans were worse off financially in 2022 than a year prior.
Coupled with recent census data showing pervasive poverty across much of the country, Americans are forced to make difficult decisions, like foregoing expensive healthcare.
According to a recent Federal Reserve Bureau survey, 35% of adults say they were worse off in 2022 than 2021, which is the highest share ever recorded since the question was raised in 2014.
Additionally, half of adults reported their budget was majorly affected by rising prices across the country, and that number is even higher among minority communities and parents living with their children.
According to recent census data, more than 10% of the counties in the U.S. are experiencing persistent poverty, meaning the area has had a poverty rate of 20% or higher between 1989 and 2019.
16 states report at least 10% of their population living in persistent poverty. But most of the suffering counties were found in the South — which accounts for over half the people living in persistent poverty, despite making up less than 40% of the population.
These financial realities have placed many Americans in the unfortunate situation of choosing between medical treatment and survival. The Federal Reserve study found that the share of Americans who skipped medical treatment because of the cost has drastically increased since 2020.
The reflection of this can be found in the overall health of households in different income brackets. 75% of households with an income of $25,000 or less report being in good health – compared to the 91% of households with $100,000 or more income.
See what others are saying: (Axios) (The Hill) (Federal Reserve)

The ban will likely face legal challenges before it is officially enacted next year.
First Statewide Ban of TikTok
Montana became the first state to ban TikTok on Wednesday after Gov. Greg Gianforte (R) signed legislation aimed at protecting “Montanans’ personal and private data from the Chinese Communist Party.”
The ban will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2024, though the law will likely face a handful of legal challenges before that date.
To protect Montanans’ personal and private data from the Chinese Communist Party, I have banned TikTok in Montana.
— Governor Greg Gianforte (@GovGianforte) May 17, 2023
Under the law, citizens of the state will not be held liable for using the app, but companies that offer the app on their platforms, like Apple and Google, will face a $10,000 fine per day of violations. TikTok would also be subject to the hefty daily fine.
Questions remain about how tech companies will practically enforce this law. During a hearing earlier this year, a representative from TechNet said that these platforms don’t have the ability to “geofence” apps by state.
Roger Entner, an analyst at Recon Analytics, told the Associated Press that app stores could have the capability to enforce the restriction, but it would be difficult to carry out and there would be a variety of loopholes by tools like VPNs.
Montana’s law comes as U.S. politicians have taken aim at TikTok over its alleged ties to the CCP. Earlier this year, the White House directed federal agencies to remove TikTok from government devices. Conservatives, in particular, have been increasingly working to restrict the app.
“The Chinese Communist Party using TikTok to spy on Americans, violate their privacy, and collect their personal, private, and sensitive information is well-documented,” Gov. Gianforte said in a Wednesday statement.
Criticism of Montana Law
TikTok, however, has repeatedly denied that it gives user data to the government. The company released a statement claiming Montana’s law “infringes on the First Amendment rights of the people” in the state.
“We want to reassure Montanans that they can continue using TikTok to express themselves, earn a living, and find community as we continue working to defend the rights of our users inside and outside of Montana,” the company said.
The American Civil Liberties Union condemned Montana’s law for similar reasons.
This law tramples on our free speech rights under the guise of national security and lays the groundwork for excessive government control over the internet.
— ACLU (@ACLU) May 17, 2023
Elected officials do not have the right to selectively censor entire social media apps based on their country of origin.
“This law tramples on our free speech rights under the guise of national security and lays the groundwork for excessive government control over the internet,” the ACLU tweeted. “Elected officials do not have the right to selectively censor entire social media apps based on their country of origin.”
Per the AP, there are 200,000 TikTok users in Montana, and another 6,000 businesses use the platform as well. Lawsuits are expected to be filed against the law in the near future.
See what others are saying: (Associated Press) (Fast Company) (CBS News)
U.S.
How a Disney-Loving Former Youth Pastor Landed on The FBI’s “Most Wanted” List
Published
1 month agoon
April 24, 2023By
Star Pralle
“Do what is best, not for yourself, for once. Think about everyone else,” Chris Burns’ 19-year-old son pleaded to his father via The Daily Beast.
Multi-Million Dollar Scheme
Former youth pastor turned financial advisor Chris Burns remains at large since going on the run in September of 2020 to avoid a Securities Exchange Commission investigation into his businesses.
Despite his fugitive status, the Justice Department recently indicted Burns with several more charges on top of the $12 million default judgment he received from the SEC.
Burns allegedly sold false promissory notes to investors across Georgia, North Carolina, and Florida. The SEC claims he told the investors they were participating in a “peer to peer” lending program where businesses that needed capital would borrow money and then repay it with interest as high as 20%. Burns allegedly also reassured investors that the businesses had collateral so the investment was low-risk.
The SEC says that Burns instead took that money for personal use.
Burns’ History
Burns began his adult life as a youth pastor back in 2007 before transitioning into financial planning a few years later. By 2017, he launched his own radio show, The Chris Burns Show, which was funded by one of his companies, Dynamic Money – where every week Burns would “unpack how this week’s headlines practically impact your life, wallet, and future,” according to the description. He also frequently appeared on television and online, talking about finances and politics.
The SEC alleges that he used his public appearances to elevate his status as a financial advisor and maximize his reach to investors.
His family told The Daily Beast that he became obsessed with success and he reportedly bought hand-made clothes, a million-dollar lakehouse, a boat, several cars, and took his family on several trips to Disney World. His eldest son and wife said that Burns was paying thousands of dollars a day for VIP tours and once paid for the neighbors to come along.
Then in September 2020, he reportedly told his wife that he was being investigated by the Securities Exchange Commission but he told her not to worry.
The day that he was supposed to turn over his business documents to the SEC, he disappeared, telling his wife he was just going to take a trip to North Carolina to tell his parents about the investigation. Then, the car was found abandoned in a parking lot with several cashier’s checks totaling $78,000
FBI’s Most Wanted
The default judgment in the SEC complaint orders Burns, if he’s ever found, to pay $12 million to his victims, as well as over $650,000 in a civil penalty. Additionally, a federal criminal complaint charged him with mail fraud. Burns is currently on the FBI’s Most Wanted list.
Last week, the Justice Department indicted him on several other charges including 10 counts of wire fraud and two counts of mail fraud.
“Burns is charged for allegedly stealing millions of dollars from clients in an illegal investment fraud scheme,” Keri Farley, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta, said in a statement to The Daily Beast. “Financial crimes of this nature can cause significant disruptions to the lives of those who are victimized, and the FBI is dedicated to holding these criminals accountable.”
His family maintains that they knew nothing of Burns’ schemes. His wife reportedly returned over $300,000 that he had given to her.
She and their eldest son, who is now 19, told The Daily Beast they just want Burns to turn himself in, take responsibility for his actions, and try to help the people he hurt.
“Do what is best, not for yourself, for once. Think about everyone else,” Burns’ son said in a message to his father via The Daily Beast.
See what others are saying: (The Daily Beast) (Fox 5) (Wealth Management)

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