The Chris Cuomo Project
Episode: Chris Cuomo Responds to Viewers Fed Up With Both Parties
Date: October 16, 2025
Host: Chris Cuomo
Producer/Co-host: Gregory Ott
Episode Overview
In this episode, Chris Cuomo reads and responds to listener calls, comments, and YouTube feedback, grappling with criticism and questions on his political stances, media practices, and the frustrations of viewers who feel alienated by both parties. Chris doubles down on his commitment to independent, critical analysis outside partisan lines and explains the challenges and nuances of contemporary political discourse—emphasizing the importance of decency, independent thinking, and not rewarding outrage and division.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Responding to Accusations of Defending Trump
- Topic: Listener accuses Chris of always "sticking up" for Trump, specifically over comments interpreted as jokes vs. sincere statements.
- Chris's Defense:
- Trump explicitly said he was joking, and the delivery seemed in jest, though there's often "truth in a joke."
- Chris insists he is not defending Trump, but rather defending decency and fair critique.
- Criticizes the left for focusing solely on attacking Trump, warning that outrage-centric media creates bubbles and silos.
- Notable Quote:
- "I am not a defender of the president, I am a defender of decency." [03:19]
2. The Jimmy Kimmel Situation & Business vs. Censorship
- Topic: Viewer is upset with Chris’s insistence that Jimmy Kimmel’s removal from TV was a business decision, not government censorship.
- Chris's Response:
- Clarifies there’s no proof of state action—only the FCC Chair’s speculative comments.
- Calls out zero-sum, love-hate reactions fueled by social media.
- Notable Quote:
"Even if I'm wrong, I'm still right, because even if it's about... blackmail, it's still a business decision." [07:09] - Decries how one disagreement erases years of credibility in today's outrage culture.
- Stresses commitment to critical thinking: "Don't say yeah, I'm all in on truth—this is this social media toxification of your critical thinking..." [05:27]
3. Critique of the Party System & Money in Politics
- Caller: Suggests new leaders—not a new system—are needed, and going independent won’t help.
- Chris's Rebuttal:
- "It ain’t the players, it’s the game."
- Citizens United is the "death sentence for our democracy," enabling legalized corruption and distortion of representation.
- Even with new leaders, the system necessitates playing by corrupt rules.
- Real change would require overturning Citizens United, which likely demands extreme force of will or control over all institutional levers.
- Notes that "the most dangerous money in our politics is legal because of Citizens United... it made money speech and I hate that."
- Notable Quote:
"If you don't change [Citizens United], it doesn't matter who's playing, because if they want to be successful playing, they're going to have to play by the rules of the game. And the rules suck." [12:11]
- "It ain’t the players, it’s the game."
4. Hypocrisy in Conservative Views on Life & Death
- Death Penalty vs. Abortion:
- Caller notes Catholic opposition to both abortion and the death penalty.
- Chris highlights a "fundamental hypocrisy"—many conservatives support the death penalty but are pro-life regarding abortion.
- Argues both are tied to "harshness as strength," and that US society lacks true forgiveness and mercy.
- Memorable Moment: Critique that many wear Christianity as a badge but don't embody forgiveness or humility.
- Notable Quote:
"There are so many mean people with a crucifix after their name... who say and traffic and act in a way that doesn’t pass any WWJD litmus test ever." [18:44]
5. Fundraising Off Tragedy & the Nature of Advocacy Groups
- Caller: Finds it repulsive that Turning Point USA is fundraising off Charlie Kirk’s assassination.
- Chris's Take:
- "This is what organizations do." It may feel distasteful, but it's standard for advocacy groups to seize moments like this.
- Suggests the widow may even see it as honoring her husband’s legacy.
- Emphasizes that what should be truly distasteful is the murder itself.
- Also pushes back against using someone's political views as a mitigation or explanation for their murder.
- Notable Quote:
"There is no way to explain or mitigate the murder because you didn’t like his ideas." [22:55]
6. Personal Change Since CNN & The Dilemma of Outrage-Driven Media
- Chris on Being Fired & His Evolution:
- Explains how losing his CNN platform changed him personally—forced reevaluation of identity and purpose.
- Now more vocal in his anti-partisan stance and skepticism of outrage-driven media.
- Frustrated by media rewarding division and failed by audiences who don’t tolerate nuance or disagreement.
- "I am not just like all the rest. And you need to learn that you can disagree with someone without hating them and wishing them violence." [28:16]
7. Gun Violence & Comparative Grief
- Retired Prosecutor's Call: Challenges focus on Charlie Kirk’s murder vs. daily school shootings.
- Chris's Response:
- Rejects the "two wrongs make a right" mentality; both types of tragedy matter.
- Says it’s unfair to suggest caring about one diminishes concern for the other.
8. Audience Perception & Chris’s Public Persona
- Comments on Changing Sides: Listeners accuse Chris of flip-flopping or presenting himself differently on TV and podcast.
- Chris Rebuts:
- Claims these are perceptions, not reality—listeners project their desires onto him and react angrily if he doesn’t fit expectations.
- Quote: "You guys are becoming increasingly extreme in your intolerance if you don't hear what you want from me all the time every time." [36:53]
- Frustrated that algorithm-chasing, outrage-based content is what wins, not nuanced, balanced discussion.
9. Civil Rights Comments & the Limits of Decency
- Call-Out on Platforming/Defending Charlie Kirk:
- Addresses controversy on Charlie Kirk’s comments about the Civil Rights Act.
- Explains Kirk’s stance: Kirk saw unintended negative consequences (like DEI culture) but didn’t deny the need for civil rights itself.
- Defends providing context, while maintaining a bar for what constitutes actual racism or hateful speech.
- Laments a cultural shift towards cynicism and "the ugly is winning."
- Notable Quote:
"There’s got to be a line of decency that we start restoring." [41:19]
10. 2024 Election Prospects and Political Messaging
- YouTube Comments: On Newsom, gas prices, and Democrats' prospects.
- Chris's Take:
- It's premature to write off any candidate based on current perceptions.
- Critiques the left’s embrace of performative, mocking behavior as "muscularity," warning it’s not real leadership.
11. Epstein Files and Institutional Accountability
- Listener's Question: Where are the Epstein files?
- Chris's Explanation:
- Court-sealed names due to lack of evidence vs. prejudice; supports releasing what is appropriate but cautions against dragging innocent people.
- Points to public outrage and conspiracy-mongering as symptoms of a lack of trust in institutions and the damage of constant "gotcha" politics.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On Decency vs. Partisan Loyalty:
"I am not a defender of the president, I am a defender of decency." [03:19] - On Business Decisions in Media:
"Even if I'm wrong, I'm still right... it's still a business decision." [07:09] - On Money in Politics:
"If you don't change [Citizens United], it doesn't matter who's playing, because... the rules suck." [12:11] - On Hypocrisy & Christianity:
"There are so many mean people with a crucifix after their name..." [18:44] - On Audience Intolerance:
"You guys are becoming increasingly extreme in your intolerance..." [36:53] - On Civil Discourse:
"There’s got to be a line of decency that we start restoring." [41:19]
Key Timestamps
| Time | Segment/Topic | |-----------|--------------------------------------------------------| | 00:55 | Listener accuses Chris of defending Trump | | 03:19 | Chris: “I am a defender of decency” | | 05:21 | Discussion of Jimmy Kimmel’s removal & business vs. censorship | | 07:09 | Chris: "Even if I'm wrong, I'm still right…" | | 12:11 | The real problem: citizens united and legalized money in politics | | 15:08 | PACs, lobbying, and corruption of legislative process | | 18:44 | Hypocrisy: Abortion vs. Death Penalty, Christianity | | 21:05 | Turning Point fundraising after Kirk's murder | | 24:27 | Chris on being fired from CNN and changing perspective | | 28:16 | Chris: "I am not just like all the rest..." | | 29:30 | Prosecutor: Compare school shootings to Kirk’s murder | | 36:53 | Critiquing viewers’ intolerance and algorithm-driven discourse | | 41:19 | Civil rights act comments, line of decency | | 49:03 | Election prospects: Newsom, Beshear, gas prices | | 51:40 | Epstein files explained |
Tone & Style
Chris maintains a straightforward, sometimes exasperated but always engaged tone, littered with colorful language and blunt honesty. He openly confronts criticism, challenges groupthink, and laments the toxic incentives in media and politics today, all while blending moments of humor and banter with Gregory Ott.
For Listeners New to the Episode
This episode is a candid, unfiltered look at the struggle to remain principled and nuanced in a media landscape—and electorate—increasingly consumed by outrage, cynicism, and tribalism. Chris Cuomo relentlessly pushes for critical thinking, decency, and honest conversation, even as he takes heat from all sides for refusing to conform to anyone’s expectations or political binary. Expect strong language, strong opinions, and a rare dose of humility about the limits and possibilities of political media today.