Megyn Kelly unleashed a blistering critique of NewsNation host Chris Cuomo on Tuesday, branding the former CNN anchor a douchebag and accusing him of being jealous after he derided her as a sloppy influencer.
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The clash erupted over coverage of the presumed kidnapping of Nancy Guthrie, a case Kelly has repeatedly highlighted and openly speculated about. According to Mediaite, Kelly told her audience, Ill show you what the douchebag Chris Cuomo is saying. In fact, lets just play it now. Hes very upset that Ashleigh Banfield and yours truly have raised questions about the brother-in-law.
Kelly then escalated her attack with a mocking reference to Cuomos audience size and network profile. Heres Fredo Cuomo on his little-known show on NewsNation which has less viewers than I have fingers, she said, before airing a clip of Cuomo condemning sloppy influencers and would-be sleuths who were speculating about Guthries disappearance for clicks and ragebait, as images of Kelly appeared on screen.
Cuomos criticism of online commentators appeared to be aimed squarely at Kelly and others raising doubts about aspects of the Guthrie case. In response, Kelly framed his remarks as the bitter reaction of a media figure whose influence has waned, particularly compared to the growing reach of conservative platforms.
Kelly launched into an extended broadside against Cuomos career and ratings, repeatedly using the derisive nickname Fredo. She argued, Okay, so let me tell you what Fredo is really upset about. He has Fredo no raito. Thats his real problem. Nobody watches his show on NewsNation, and I mean nobody, and nobody watches his failed podcast either. Nobody watched his serious radio show, nobody watched him on CNN, and therefore he gets upset at anybody who does well, like our show, which is always one of the top three conservative podcasts in the nation. Its currently number one on Apple. Fredo doesnt like that, okay? Because as I say, Fredo no raito, so he gets upset and he gets jealous. Sometimes in the past on this show weve called out Fredo for his terrible behavior, for his bad ratings, for his lies about bumping into people who just happen to be listening to his podcast, because literally nobody does. And Fredo cant take criticism.
Positioning herself as a successful conservative voice targeted by a failing legacy-media figure, Kelly portrayed Cuomo as unable to handle scrutiny or dissent. She suggested that his attacks were driven not by principle, but by resentment toward right-leaning outlets that have eclipsed his influence.
The podcast host further claimed that Cuomo had tried to silence her criticism through back channels. Fredo actually called my lawyer, who he happened to use briefly on a legal matter, and begged the lawyer to get me to stop mentioning him. He didnt want me to attack him because it hurt his little feelings, so now Fredo sees an opportunity to attack yours truly because of course were doing well with this story too, as we do when we do other news which Fredo cant relate to.
Kelly also broadened her attack to include Cuomos family, blasting his loser brother, former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, and his many problems in grabbing women, while reminding viewers of the sexual misconduct allegations lodged against Chris Cuomo in 2021. For many conservatives, the Cuomo brothers have long symbolized the arrogance and double standards of the liberal political-media class, and Kellys remarks tapped into that sentiment.
Cuomo, for his part, attempted to hit back on social media with a brief, dismissive post aimed at Kellys tone and language. He wrote, Get over yourself, little hater. Odd language choice for a mom with young kids. Classy.
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