The Chris Cuomo Project
Episode: Chris Cuomo CHALLENGES the AOC Deepfake Narrative
Date: August 28, 2025
Host: Chris Cuomo
Co-Host/Producer: Gregory Otto
Overview
In this episode of The Chris Cuomo Project, Chris Cuomo responds to listener voicemails and YouTube comments on a range of hot-button topics—from conspiracy theories surrounding Jeffrey Epstein and Donald Trump to the state of veterans’ services, U.S. sanctions on Russia, personal faith, and the real story behind the viral AOC deepfake incident. Chris addresses the polarization in today’s media and politics, discusses transparency in government (especially concerning UFOs), and defends his approach to engaging with ideological opponents. Throughout, he maintains his characteristic blend of candor, skepticism, and humor, making a case for civil discourse and critical thinking.
Key Discussion Points
1. Listeners’ Calls: Epstein, Trump, and Conspiracy Narratives
[02:04]
- Caller (Brian from Iwatuki): Suggests Trump was complicit with Epstein and is covering up damaging connections.
- Chris Cuomo: Pushes back on the idea, arguing that Trump surrounded himself with Epstein conspiracists—it wouldn't fit if he had something to hide.
“The conspiracies about Russia and where he got his money … I actually think that has more to it, although I'm not a... I'm not a big buyer. That notion, anyway, of Russia has something on Trump.”
- Explains the overblown mythology of the “Epstein list,” noting that much of the speculation is fueled by social psychological dynamics, not solid evidence.
“The idea that they were clients or participants, I'm not seeing it. … Sometimes smoke is just a function of not the fire of legitimacy, but the literal combustion of just all the drama…” [03:30]
2. The VA and Veteran Concerns
[05:13]
- Caller (Wayne): Expresses fear that the VA is being "dismantled."
- Chris Cuomo: Thanks the caller for his service, acknowledges justified concern about VA’s efficiency and care, disputes claims of outright “dismantling,” but agrees the system needs serious reform.
“It’s not like this administration has a hard on for hurting veterans. … What they're doing for veterans may be exaggerated … We definitely have to do better.”
- Argues that the national discourse is too focused on blame instead of solutions.
3. Sanctions, Putin, and U.S. Foreign Policy
[07:39]
- Caller (Bob from Clark): Wishes Trump had pushed harder on sanctions against Putin.
- Chris Cuomo: Explains the complexity of foreign policy and economic pressure on Russia—sanctions and tariffs have had an effect but haven’t been enough.
“It is hard to get a guy to make peace when he benefits from war. And they are doing certain things that take away that benefit. But Trump, you know, doesn't have the ability to get Putin out of office unless he kills him.” [09:51]
4. Faith, Community, and Tolerance
[10:29]
- Religious Caller: Urges Chris/family to turn to Christ, suggests faith could heal divides.
- Chris Cuomo: Firm on respecting personal faith but warns against imposing it on others.
“Live your faith. Do not demand it of others. … You telling me how to live means nothing. You showing me how you live means something.” [12:16]
5. The AOC Deepfake Narrative: Cuomo’s Candid Admission
[13:05]
- Voicemail: Jokes about Chris's involvement in the AOC deepfake story.
- Chris Cuomo: Admits he shared a misleading headline about AOC and Sydney Sweeney without verifying it; didn’t actually watch the viral video (which was a deepfake).
“I treat Twitter the way everybody else does... I'm making excuses for having fallen for such an obvious... It's not even the right criticism that I fell for a deep fake. I didn't watch the video. I saw the headline on the post...” [13:39] “I apologize to AOC in the moment and I deleted the post… But she never answered my questions. … You haven't called on Hamas to surrender. Why? That's what ends the conflict.” [15:12]
- Calls out those reveling in his mistake, turning the tables:
“You can laugh all you want. You're the fucking joke. Next.” [15:23]
6. Lighthearted and Offbeat Moments
[15:29]
- Caller (Mrs. Elliot, age 97): Wishes Chris a happy birthday, jokes about old underwear.
- Chris & Gregory Otto: Banter about the potential age and “wisdom” of old underwear, segueing into a (mock-disgusted) riff on bizarre fetishes and cultural differences.
“Look, I love underwear. I love an old... An old guy. I love somebody who's been through it. I respect it and I appreciate it and it's nice of you to wish me well for my birthday.” [16:39]
7. Responding to YouTube Comments: Civil Discourse, Media Critique, “Woke” Disputes
[20:23]
- Comments on episodes featuring Matt Taibbi, Tucker Carlson, Benny Johnson.
- Chris Cuomo: Defends the importance of dialogue with ideological rivals, rejects absolutist thinking and calls for more light (understanding), not heat (anger).
“Being wrong about things doesn’t make you a bad person. … We are making a mistake of this absolutist notion that we have with me or against me.” [24:23]
- Pushes for fairness, transparency, and nuance in assessing both party politics and media narratives; owns up to being a registered Democrat mainly for family voting.
8. “Woke,” Revisionist History, and Political Branding
[27:17]
- Delves into the origins and co-opting of “woke”; criticizes both left and right for misappropriations but admits some progressive goals are valid.
- Stand against whitewashing of slavery and Holocaust denial, demands nuanced historical reckoning.
“White people have co-opted the entire narrative the entire time. That is not a good practice… It was either fucking terrible or it wasn’t.” [28:18]
9. UFOs, Government Transparency, and Betting on Disclosure
[29:53]
- Comments on the UFO/alien coverup debate brought up in a previous episode.
- Emphasizes the need for transparency—not faith or paranoia—regarding government disclosures.
“I believe that government is no longer trusted and they need to regain trust. And transparency is a great way to do that.” [30:44]
- Discusses a prediction market bet on whether U.S. officials will “definitively” confirm alien life or tech this year; doubts it, but debates definitions with co-host Gregory Otto.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On skepticism and outrage culture:
“Sometimes smoke is just a function of not the fire of legitimacy, but the literal combustion of just all the drama that's being made about something.” [03:30] -
On constructive faith:
“Live your faith. You be all J.C. all the time. No half measures. … You telling me how to live means nothing. You showing me how you live means something.” [12:16] -
On being tricked by a deepfake:
“I didn’t watch the video. … Is that a mistake? Of course it’s a mistake. Is it wrong that I did that? Of course it’s wrong.” [13:39] -
On polarization and civil debate:
“We are making a mistake of this absolutist notion that we have with me or against me. … That’s what the two sides want, is constant friction where everything is weaponized and everything is with or against or good or bad. It works for them, not for us.” [24:30] -
On historical revisionism:
“The idea that we want to just point blame in just one simple direction all the time or in the alternative, if it gets any more complicated than that… It’s the same shit guys do about the Holocaust. Well, I don’t know. About 6 million. Look, it was either fucking terrible or it wasn’t. It was wrong or it wasn’t.” [28:18] -
On government UFO revelations:
“For me, the story begins and ends with one word. Transparency. Transparency.” [30:21]
“A quick fuck you to those who have the arrogance to believe that only planet Earth achieved carbon based existence.” [30:44]
Important Segments & Timestamps
- Dissecting Epstein/Trump Conspiracy: [02:04]–[04:24]
- VA and Veterans Issues: [05:13]–[07:21]
- Russia Sanctions & Trump: [07:22]–[10:29]
- Faith and Community: [10:29]–[12:44]
- AOC Deepfake Confession & Media Culture: [13:05]–[15:23]
- Humorous Listener Call: Underwear: [15:29]–[17:36]
- Civil Discourse & Media Critique via YouTube Comments: [20:23]–[24:23]
- Political Labels & Revisionist History: [25:44]–[29:28]
- UFOs & Government Transparency: [29:53]–[34:51]
- Betting on Alien Disclosure (Kalshee Segment): [33:29]–[35:44]
Tone & Style
Chris Cuomo’s tone blends earnestness, frustration, humor, and the occasional expletive, staying true to his independent, no-nonsense persona. He challenges listeners, rebukes superficial narratives, and acknowledges personal mistakes candidly—never shying from controversy but always circling back to critical thinking and civil engagement.
Summary by: The Chris Cuomo Project Podcast Summarizer
Intended for: Listeners who want in-depth coverage and context of each topic, from politics and social policy to culture and media. “Let’s get after it.”