‘He wants Megyn Kelly money’: Chris Cuomo reportedly seeking $60 million from CNN
Former CNN host Chris Cuomo might demand up to a $60 million settlement after he was fired for advising his brother Andrew on his sexual harassment case. The 56-year-old, who hosted the Cuomo Prime Time from 2017 until last December, now reportedly wants $60 million which is far more than the $18 million left on his contract. Cuomo stated former network head Jeff Zucker knew that he was still in touch with his brother during the scandal and that "he never did anything for his brother Andrew that Zucker didn't know about."
"Cuomo, who was fired in December for helping his brother fend off sexual harassment allegations, is ready to dig his heels in by claiming that Zucker not only knew about his dealings with the governor — but that the network boss had his own inappropriate dealings with Andrew. And he is prepared to demand not the $18 million left on his contract, but as much as $60 million," reports Page Six.
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"Chris is telling people in the Hamptons he was wrongly fired, humiliated, his career has been ruined, and he wants Megyn Kelly money," a source told Page Six, referring to how Kelly was paid the full $69 million in her contract when she parted ways with NBC after a scandal in 2018. Meanwhile, Zucker resigned on February 2, after the Chris Cuomo scandal brought the spotlight on his secret relationship with network executive Allison Gollust.
"Chris insists he never did anything for his brother Andrew that Zucker didn't know about. His camp believes Zucker wasn't fired for an inappropriate relationship with Allison Gollust. Everybody knew about that and nobody cared. What he believes happened is WarnerMedia found something in their investigation into Chris, perhaps internal memos or documents which revealed more about Zucker's involvement with Andrew Cuomo. Gollust was just a convenient excuse," another source explained.
"Chris intends to fight for every dollar on his contract, and loss of income from the 15 to 20 years left in his career, had Zucker not orchestrated a 'f**k job' on him. He could ask for as much as $80 million but CNN isn't going to pay that. But there's an argument he could ask for as much as $60 million," the source added.
The New York Post reported, "CNN boss Jeff Zucker and his paramour Allison Gollust had an inappropriately close friendship with former Andrew Cuomo — personally calling him to do news segments with his brother Chris Cuomo and even coaching him on what to say during his infamous Covid briefings." But Zucker's rep rubbished the rumors saying, "This is 100 percent false. During a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic when people were desperate for information, CNN and every other network took the briefings live. Jeff of course had a relationship with Andrew Cuomo, as he does with countless other electeds."
Meanwhile, Cuomo released a statement through his Twitter that said, "This is not how I want my time at CNN to end but I have already told you why and how I helped my brother. So let me now say as disappointing as this is, I could not be more proud of the team at Cuomo Prime Time and the work we did as CNN's #1 show in the most competitive time slot. I owe them all and will miss that group of special people who did really important work."
Cuomo released another statement two days later where he mentioned that he is quitting his SiriusXM radio show and wants to "focus on what comes next."
Users have been speculating what comes next for Cuomo. A user tweeted, "Do you think that MSNBC will hire Chris Cuomo? Now that CNN wussed out and fired him," while another demanded Cuomo to be brought back, "#CNN #Discovery #WarnerMedia Now that #JeffZucker is gone, it’s time too apologize to #ChrisCuomo and bring him back onboard too his 9pm slot . Your #TVRatings are dropping fast. I have not tuned to CNN since Chris was let go. Bring ChrisCuomo back and your ratings will come back".
Do you think that MSNBC will hire Chris Cuomo? Now that CNN wussed out and fired him.
— Pat Bailey (@pvanb3) February 9, 2022
#CNN #Discovery #WarnerMedia Now that #JeffZucker is gone, it’s time too apologize to #ChrisCuomo and bring him back onboard too his 9pm slot .Your #TVRatings are dropping fast. I have not tuned to CNN since Chris was let go. Bring ChrisCuomo back and your ratings will come back
— RKherewego (@musicman6955) February 9, 2022